The Vietnam women's national team suffered a heartbreaking loss of the SEA Games gold medal!
The final match of the women's football at SEA Games 33 was not only a battle for the highly coveted gold medal but also a unique moment in the history of Southeast Asian women's football. However, the Vietnam women's team felt a deep sense of disappointment as their good fortune in this arena no longer accompanied them.
Coach Mai Đức Chung surprised everyone with his starting lineup by positioning Cù Thị Huỳnh Như centrally alongside Thái Thị Thảo, pushing Vạn Sự higher up to play as a winger striker next to Bích Thùy and Hải Yến. This change helped Vietnam’s midfield control the ball more fluidly and harmoniously during the first half. Their short passes and neat pressing escapes forced the Philippines, known for their physical strength and stature, to fall back into deep defense.
This dominant gameplay should have been solidified by a goal at the 30th minute. From a well-executed move on the right wing, Vạn Sự delivered a precise cross for Bích Thùy to rush in and head the ball into the net. It was a flawless play, possibly the most beautiful goal by the Vietnam women's team in many years under Coach Mai Đức Chung. However, the joy of the red-shirted players and thousands of fans in Chonburi stadium was crushed by the harsh offside flag raised by assistant referee Chanthavong Phutsavan.
Slow-motion replays showed Bích Thùy was in a fully legitimate position, even standing more than 2 meters ahead of the last Philippine defender. A FIFA referee after the match confirmed it was a serious mistake. Without VAR at the SEA Games, that moment became a turning point in the final. Vietnam lost not only the goal but also a significant psychological edge in this tense match.
Despite being deprived of a deserved goal, Coach Mai Đức Chung’s players did not break down. They kept pushing forward, pressing aggressively, and creating more chances. Bích Thùy, Thanh Nhã, and Vạn Sự continuously stirred trouble on both wings, while Kim Thanh remained focused to neutralize the Philippines' dangerous counterattacks. However, a lack of composure in finishing, combined with the referee’s "coldness," caused the 90 minutes to end goalless at 0-0.
The Vietnam team (left) missed the chance to win the SEA Games championship for the fifth consecutive time. Photo: Tuấn Phạm
The two extra time periods tested stamina and resilience to the fullest. The Philippines demonstrated impressive physical endurance, repeatedly launching throw-ins like "hammer blows" into the Vietnam women's penalty area.
The penalty shootout was nerve-wracking, accurately reflecting the balance of the final. Both teams successfully converted their first five shots. Kim Thanh guessed the ball’s direction correctly many times, but the ball still narrowly crossed the line. At the sixth shot, a cruel turning point occurred when Trần Thị Thu failed to beat goalkeeper McDaniel, while the Philippine player scored successfully. The 5-6 loss meant the Vietnam women's team missed the SEA Games gold medal for the first time in many years.
For the Vietnam women's team, the disappointment was immense. A legitimate goal was taken away, and in a final where the red-shirted girls played well, controlled the game, and only lacked a bit of luck to claim a fifth consecutive title. Yet beyond the result, their fighting spirit, resilience until the final minute, and composure in the penalty shootout deserve respect.
SEA Games 33 ended on a sad note for Vietnam women's football but also served as a clear warning: their top position in Southeast Asia is no longer guaranteed. To continue dominating, the Vietnam team must innovate, upgrade, and better prepare for increasingly harsh challenges.
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