Vietnam U22 team warned about Yotsakorn Burapha
Ahead of the SEA Games 33 men's football final at Rajamangala Stadium, coach Kim Sang-sik specifically named Yotsakorn Burapha – the striker who scored 6 goals and a spectacular free-kick – as the biggest threat to the Vietnam U22 defense.
Just before the SEA Games 33 gold medal match, coach Kim Sang-sik chose the clearest way to prepare the Vietnam U22 team: specifically identifying the biggest threat on the Thailand U22 side – striker Yotsakorn Burapha, who had scored 6 goals in the tournament and had just decided the semi-final with a spectacular free-kick.
Coach Kim Sang-sik points out the most dangerous attacking player of the Thailand U22 team.
When asked about their opponent in the final, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized that the U22 Thailand team is not only strong as a whole but also possesses individuals who can change the course of the match. He highly praised the physical fitness, speed, and individual skills of many of the opposing players.
The coach specifically mentioned one name: Yotsakorn Burapha. According to Coach Kim, the number 9 striker for the Thailand U22 team has a very diverse scoring ability, from open play to set pieces.
Coach Kim Sang-sik shared: “The U22 Thailand team is well-organized and has many players with good individual ability, physical strength, and speed. Yotsakorn Burapha has scored many goals in various ways throughout this tournament, so we need to pay attention to him. Ly Duc and all the defenders need to defend well for us to achieve a good result. U22 Vietnam will strive to prepare for a good match.”
Coach Kim's message was clear: to have any hope of winning the gold medal, the Vietnam U22 team must first control the most dangerous attacking threat on the opposing side. He not only singled out Yotsakorn but also assigned direct responsibility to center-back Ly Duc and the entire defensive system.
Yotsakorn Burapha: a spectacular free-kick and 6 goals at the SEA Games 33
Coach Kim Sang-sik's warnings are based on what Yotsakorn Burapha has shown since the beginning of the tournament. In the semi-final against U22 Malaysia, this striker scored the only goal, helping U22 Thailand win 1-0 and secure a place in the final.
The goal came very early, in the 8th minute, and was a spectacular free-kick. From a considerable distance and angle, Yotsakorn still managed to unleash a powerful and curling shot that beat the wall and the goalkeeper, demonstrating his ability to create breakthroughs in quiet moments.
Even when U22 Malaysia had to play with ten men from very early on, U22 Thailand still couldn't double their lead. However, Yotsakorn's impact was undeniable. He was voted Man of the Match, further solidifying his role as the leading figure in the attack.
To date, Yotsakorn Burapha has scored 6 goals at the SEA Games 33, becoming one of the most effective strikers in the tournament. His diverse finishing ability – from long-range shots and free kicks to positioning inside the penalty area – makes him a "threat" that every defense must be wary of.
After the semi-final match, Yotsakorn also expressed his respect for their opponent in the final. Speaking about the Vietnam U22 team, he said: “It will be a good match. Vietnam is a very strong opponent, so we have to prepare very carefully for this confrontation.”
That wasn't just polite talk. With a striker in top form, this statement shows that the U22 Thailand team understands the weight of the final match and the importance of tactical preparation for the confrontation with U22 Vietnam.
Tactical challenges for the Vietnam U22 defense.
From what coach Kim Sang-sik shared, it's clear he places a strong emphasis on the organizational quality of the defense. His emphasis on Ly Duc and the entire backline needing to "defend well" shows that the Vietnam U22 team is not only preparing to neutralize a single individual, but also to counter the way the Thailand U22 team operates around Yotsakorn.
The diverse finishing ability of the number 9 striker means that every space in front of the penalty area, every foul near the goal, can become a dangerous opportunity. This requires the Vietnam U22 team to minimize uncontrolled tackles near the goal, while maintaining a tight formation to prevent Yotsakorn from having much space to maneuver.
With an individual in such high form, defensive focus will be crucial. Every set piece, every free kick or corner kick, in the spirit that Coach Kim emphasized, must be handled with the highest level of vigilance.
The crucial moment of the SEA Games 33 final at Rajamangala Stadium.
According to the schedule, the SEA Games 33 men's football final between Vietnam U22 and Thailand U22 will take place at 7:30 PM on December 18, 2025, at the Rajamangala Stadium. This is a decisive match in the quest for the gold medal, where a moment of brilliance from an attacking star or an outstanding defensive play could change the course of the entire tournament.
Given that the U22 Thailand team boasts a striker who has already scored 6 goals and recently scored a spectacular free-kick in the semi-finals, coach Kim Sang-sik's early warnings have become a crucial part of the preparation process. Identifying the most dangerous attacking threat is the first step in building a defensive plan, helping U22 Vietnam prepare for the biggest challenge of the SEA Games 33.
From now until the opening whistle at Rajamangala Stadium, the biggest question is: how will the Vietnam U22 defense execute coach Kim Sang-sik's instructions to face Yotsakorn Burapha – the striker who stands on the thin line between the gold medal dreams of both teams?
