Vietnam U22 staged a comeback against Thailand U22 to win the SEA Games 33 championship.
On the Rajamangala Stadium pitch on the evening of December 18th, the Vietnam U22 team created one of the most memorable finals in SEA Games history. Trailing by two goals in the first half, Coach Kim Sang Sik's team persevered, gradually turning the game around before completing a spectacular comeback to defeat Thailand U22 3-2 after 120 minutes, thus winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal in a highly emotional victory.
Vietnam faces a major challenge.
U22 Thailand and U22 Vietnam entered the final match not only as the two strongest teams in the tournament, but also carrying the pride of two of the most traditional football nations in the region. On one side was Thailand, taking advantage of home field advantage and the enthusiastic support of their fans. On the other side was U22 Vietnam, who, the further they progressed, the more they demonstrated their character, resilience, and rare ability to withstand pressure for a young team.
Coach Kim Sang Sik continued to place his trust in the core team that had been operating stably throughout the SEA Games 33. The U22 Vietnam team fielded goalkeeper Trung Kien, with a defense consisting of Ly Duc, Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, and Minh Phuc. The midfield featured Xuan Bac, Quoc Cuong, along with the trio of Phi Hoang, Van Khang, and Viktor Le, while Dinh Bac led the attack.
Immediately after the opening whistle, the pressure from the Rajamangala Stadium stands was quickly materialized by the U22 Thailand team with high-pressure play and direct attacks. The home team controlled the game well, forcing U22 Vietnam to retreat into deep defense for most of the early period.
In the 20th minute, from a free kick more than 25 meters out, Yotsakon Burapha unleashed a perfect shot that nestled straight into the corner of the net, leaving Trung Kien helpless and giving Thailand the lead. The goal forced the Vietnam U22 team to push forward, but this inadvertently created space behind them.
In the 31st minute, Thailand made a lightning-fast transition. Seksan Ratree comfortably broke through, closing in on the penalty area before unleashing a powerful low shot, extending their lead to 2-0. The remainder of the first half saw Vietnam U22 struggle, while the home team continuously launched sharp counter-attacks.
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The first half ended with a clear advantage for the U22 Thailand team, pushing the red-shirted team into a corner with no way out.
Champion's spirit
In the second half, the Vietnam U22 team showed a completely different face. Coach Kim Sang Sik's players played more aggressively, pushed their formation higher, and increased pressure on the opposing defense. This rapid change proved effective.
In the 49th minute, Dinh Bac made a daring breakthrough into the penalty area and was fouled by goalkeeper Sorawat. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Dinh Bac successfully converted the penalty, reducing the score to 1-2 and rekindling hope for the Vietnam U22 team.
With their spirits lifted, the Vietnam U22 team continuously pressed their opponents. In the 60th minute, from a corner kick, while trying to mark Ly Duc, defender Waris Schoolthong accidentally scored an own goal, bringing the game back to a 2-2 draw. The atmosphere at Rajamangala Stadium was deathly silent, while the Vietnamese players became increasingly confident as the game progressed.
The remaining minutes of the second half unfolded at a high pace and with extreme tension. The Vietnam U22 team created many dangerous opportunities, the most regrettable of which was Hieu Minh's header bouncing off the ground and hitting the post. After 90 minutes, the two teams were tied 2-2 and were forced into extra time.
In extra time, the Vietnam U22 team proactively dropped deep, organized a tight defense, and waited for the decisive moment. The discipline in their defensive system helped Trung Kien stand firm against Thailand's attacks from the flanks.
In the 96th minute, a fateful moment occurred. From an attack down the left wing involving Dinh Bac, Van Thuan skillfully controlled the ball and fired a shot that goalkeeper Sorawat couldn't hold onto. Thanh Nhan rushed in quickly and scored from close range, increasing the score to 3-2 for Vietnam U22.
The goal seemed to crush the home team's morale. In the remaining minutes, the Vietnam U22 team dropped back very low, defending with all their focus and composure. Thailand launched a full-scale attack, but their desperate long-range shots failed to penetrate the red-shirted defense.
When the final whistle blew, the Vietnam U22 team officially lifted the SEA Games 33 championship trophy. It was a victory born from the courage of the red-shirted warriors. It was a championship of character, tactical depth, and a generation of young players ready to inherit and continue writing golden chapters in the history of Vietnamese football.
