Vietnam U22 team departs for SEA Games 33, determined to win gold medal.

On the afternoon of December 1st, the Vietnam U22 team departed from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Thailand for the 33rd SEA Games. They will have two days of training in Bangkok before facing the Laos U22 team at 4 PM on December 3rd at the Rajamangala Stadium. The team aims to compete for the gold medal and be the first team to win for the Vietnamese sports delegation at this Games.

Trip details and competition schedule

The Vietnam U22 team's flight took off at 11:35 AM from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, after coach Kim Sang-sik and the 23 players arrived early to complete the procedures. The atmosphere was lively as they bid farewell to the team, with the support of fans before their important journey.

• Departure: 11:35 AM on December 1st from Tan Son Nhat Airport.
• Training: Two days in Bangkok.
• Opening match in Group B: 4 PM on December 3rd, against U22 Laos at Rajamangala Stadium.
• Remaining group stage match: U22 Malaysia on December 11-12.

Notably, the Vietnam U22 team was the first team of the Vietnamese sports delegation to arrive in Thailand, thus "kicking off" the SEA Games 33 campaign.

Expert perspective: the preparation phase before the big moment

The two-day training break in Bangkok is a short but crucial period for the Vietnam U22 team to prepare for their opening match. Given the demanding schedule of the SEA Games, early planning helps the coaching staff maintain a consistent routine, organize training sessions, and refine match organization details for the game against Laos U22, before heading into the clash with Malaysia U22.

Mentally, a clear schedule – from flight times and destinations to match dates – provides a stable path for players entering the tournament. Playing at 4 PM on December 3rd at the Rajamangala Stadium allows the team time to refine core training exercises and review personnel plans for each match scenario.

Message from the Vietnam Football Federation

Before departure, the President of the Vietnam Football Federation, Tran Quoc Tuan, met with the entire team to boost morale and emphasize the difficulties they might face at the SEA Games 33. He noted the increasing trend of naturalizing players in many teams in the region, and urged the coaching staff and players to thoroughly study their opponents, maintain maximum focus, and avoid complacency.

• Key requirements: competitor research, intense focus.
• Rules of play: fierce competition but with a focus on fair play and maintaining a professional image.

Group B and the decisive milestones

The Vietnam U22 team will begin their campaign with a match against Laos U22 (4 PM, December 3rd, Rajamangala Stadium), before playing their remaining group stage match against Malaysia U22 (December 11th). These two matches will shape their medal race trajectory, especially as the young team must balance performance goals with discipline in competition.

Target

With thorough preparation and a clear message from the leadership, the Vietnam U22 team aims to compete for the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games, continuing the tradition of Vietnamese youth football's efforts in regional competitions.