U22 Vietnam lost 0-1 to U22 Korea, Van Truong injured
U22 Vietnam lost 0-1 to U22 Korea and missed the chance to win the 2025 Panda Cup. Captain Van Truong was injured and had to leave the field on a stretcher, the extent of which is unknown before the 33rd SEA Games.
The moment Van Truong lay on the field and had to leave the game on a stretcher at the end of the match ended a regretful evening: U22 Vietnam lost 0-1 to U22 Korea, missed out on the 2025 Panda Cup title, and faced questions about its strength right before the 33rd SEA Games.
Van Truong injured, U22 Vietnam lost troops at the last minute
In a collision at the end of the match, captain Van Truong appeared to be in a lot of pain and had to be carried off on a stretcher. When the substitutions were over, U22 Vietnam played with one less player in the final minutes, making it even more difficult to find an equalizer. The extent of the midfielder's injury is currently unknown.
Tight battle formation and minimal defeat
U22 Vietnam played with great effort but against a tight and determined opponent like U22 Korea, coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his team could not create any surprises. The score of 0-1 meant that the chance to win the 2025 Panda Cup ended. The match was decided by a single moment, while most of the match was a tug of war.
On a day when there was not much space to exploit, U22 Vietnam's attacks lacked space for speedy combinations in the middle. When they needed to speed up at the end of the match, the team lost a player due to Van Truong's injury.
Impact on the 33rd SEA Games campaign
SEA Games 33 is only a month away. Van Truong is an experienced link and has good ball control and passing ability in the midfield, so his condition will directly affect the structure of the game. The team hopes that the injury is not too serious so that he can recover before the tournament.
Right after the Panda Cup 2025, U22 Vietnam will enter the training phase to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games from November 23. The team will practice in Vung Tau, then move to Thailand on December 2 to attend the Games.
Personnel and competition route
The U22 Vietnam squad currently has 26 players. Before entering the SEA Games, coach Kim Sang Sik will reduce the squad to 23 players.
At the 33rd SEA Games, U22 Vietnam is in Group B with U22 Malaysia and U22 Laos. The group stage matches will take place at Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla). The three group winners and the second-placed team with the best record will advance to the semi-finals (December 15). The bronze medal match and the final will take place on December 18 at Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok).
Group stage schedule of U22 Vietnam
| Battle | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| U22 Vietnam vs U22 Laos | 6:30 p.m. December 4 | Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla) |
| U22 Vietnam vs U22 Malaysia | 6:30 p.m. December 11 | Tinsulanon Stadium (Songkhla) |
Quick Facts
- Result: U22 Vietnam 0-1 U22 Korea (Panda Cup 2025).
- Van Truong was injured at the end of the match and left the field on a stretcher; the extent is unknown.
- General training: from November 23 in Vung Tau; to Thailand on December 2.
- Current list: 26 players; reduced to 23 before SEA Games 33.
- Group B SEA Games 33: U22 Vietnam, U22 Malaysia, U22 Laos.
The narrow defeat against U22 Korea shows that U22 Vietnam has moved closer to the threshold of competition, but the key details and personnel readiness are the key in the road ahead. From Vung Tau to Songkhla and then Bangkok, all eyes are now on Van Truong's condition and the final personnel decision before the match day.
