Vietnam U22 lost 0-1 to South Korea U22, Van Truong suffered an injury.
Vietnam U22 lost 0-1 to South Korea U22, missing the chance to win the Panda Cup 2025. Captain Van Truong was injured and stretchered off the field; the extent of his injury is unclear before the SEA Games 33.
The moment Van Truong collapsed on the field and had to be stretchered off the pitch at the end of the match brought an evening filled with regret to a close: Vietnam U22 lost 0-1 to South Korea U22, missing out on the Panda Cup 2025 title, and facing questions about their squad just before the SEA Games 33.
Van Truong suffers injury, U22 Vietnam loses a player at the last minute.
In a late-game collision, captain Van Truong appeared to be in considerable pain and had to be stretchered off the field. With all substitutions exhausted, the Vietnam U22 team played with ten men in the final minutes, making their efforts to find an equalizer even more difficult. The extent of the midfielder's injury is currently unknown.
A tight game plan and minimal defeat.
The U22 Vietnam team played with great effort, but against a tight and determined opponent like U22 South Korea, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team could not pull off an upset. The 0-1 score means their chances of winning the Panda Cup 2025 are over. The outcome of the match was decided by a single moment, while most of the time was a back-and-forth struggle.
On a day with limited space to exploit, U22 Vietnam's attacks lacked room for quick passing combinations in the midfield. When they needed to increase the tempo towards the end of the match, the team was further hampered by the injury to Van Truong.
Impact on the SEA Games 33 campaign
The 33rd SEA Games are just one month away. Van Truong is a highly experienced and skilled midfielder with excellent ball control and passing abilities, so his condition will directly affect the team's playing style. The team hopes the injury is not too serious so he can recover in time for the tournament.
Immediately after the Panda Cup 2025, the Vietnam U22 team will begin a training camp serving as a dress rehearsal for the 33rd SEA Games starting on November 23rd. The team will train in Vung Tau, then travel to Thailand on December 2nd to participate in the Games.
Personnel and competition schedule
The current Vietnam U22 squad has 26 players. Before the SEA Games, coach Kim Sang Sik will narrow it down to 23 players.
At the 33rd SEA Games, the Vietnam U22 team is in Group B along with Malaysia U22 and Laos U22. The group stage matches will take place at the Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla). The top three teams from each group, along with the best-performing second-placed team, will advance to the semi-finals (December 15th). The bronze medal match and the final will be held on December 18th at the Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok).
Vietnam U22's group stage schedule
| Match | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam U22 vs Laos U22 | 6:30 PM on December 4th | Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla) |
| Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22 | 6:30 PM on December 11th | Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla) |
Quick Facts
- Result: Vietnam U22 0-1 South Korea U22 (Panda Cup 2025).
- Van Truong suffered an injury at the end of the match and was stretchered off the field; the extent of the injury is unclear.
- General rehearsal training: from November 23rd in Vung Tau; departure to Thailand on December 2nd.
- Current list: 26 players; reduced to 23 before SEA Games 33.
- SEA Games 33 Group B: Vietnam U22, Malaysia U22, Laos U22.
The narrow defeat against South Korea U22 shows that Vietnam U22 is closer to competing, but key details and personnel readiness are crucial for the road ahead. From Vung Tau to Songkhla and Bangkok, all eyes are now on Van Truong's condition and the final personnel decisions before the opening match.
