A courageous comeback leads U22 Vietnam to win the SEA Games 33 championship

Compared to the host team, U22 Vietnam was considered slightly superior in stability and match experience. Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang Sik, the red-shirted team has been together since 2024, winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and going undefeated in qualifiers to secure a spot in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship final round. Their style of ball control, high pressing, and strong fitness gave U22 Vietnam clear confidence entering the match.

However, the home advantage and excitement helped U22 Thailand start the game with strong determination. In the 2nd minute, Seksan Ratree unleashed a dangerous shot that forced the Vietnamese defense to be highly alert. On the other side, U22 Vietnam responded with set-piece opportunities, notably a header by Dinh Bac that narrowly missed the post in the 5th minute.

The turning point in the half came at the 20th minute. From about 25 meters out, striker Yotsakorn Burapha executed a perfect free kick, curling the ball over the wall into the right corner of the goal, opening the score for U22 Thailand despite goalkeeper Trung Kien’s full stretch dive.

The conceded goal forced U22 Vietnam to push forward, but this also exposed many gaps in their defense. In the 30th minute, during a quick counterattack, Ratree sprinted down the right wing, dribbled past Hieu Minh, and finished with a precise shot, doubling the host’s lead.

The first half ended with a 2-0 advantage for U22 Thailand, putting coach Kim Sang Sik’s team in a very difficult position. The midfield of the red-shirted team was tightly controlled, making their attempts to approach the opponent’s goal less effective than expected.

Starting the second half, U22 Vietnam showed determination to change the situation. In the 47th minute, Dinh Bac sprinted at speed, forcing goalkeeper Phosaman to foul inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot, the number 7 striker calmly deceived the Thai keeper, reducing the score to 1-2.

The early goal greatly lifted the spirits of U22 Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s players pushed up their formation, increased pressing, and continuously applied pressure. In the 55th minute, Dinh Bac tried his luck again with a surprise free kick that barely missed the post.

Persistent pressure was finally rewarded at the 59th minute. From a corner kick by Van Thuan, defender Waris Choolthong, while attempting to block, accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, allowing U22 Vietnam to equalize 2-2 amid the ecstatic cheers of the red-shirted fans.

Once again, coach Kim Sang Sik made a clear tactical impact with two substitutions early in the second half, bringing on Thai Son and Van Thuan, both of whom proved effective in helping U22 Vietnam regain control. In the 67th minute, Xuan Bac had a close-range chance but the U22 Thailand goalkeeper made an excellent save. Four minutes later, a near-post header by Hieu Minh hit the post, much to the disappointment of the red-shirted team.

In the 90+2 minute, Thanh Nhan executed a technical volley from close range, but the U22 Thailand goalkeeper was quick to make the save. With no winner after regular time, the two teams had to proceed to extra time.

At the 6th minute of the first extra time period, U22 Vietnam took the lead 3-2 after Thanh Nhan scored on a rebound. The credit went to Van Thuan for his calm control and shot that the opposing goalkeeper could not hold.

This thrilling victory over U22 Thailand completed U22 Vietnam’s brave comeback, officially crowning them champions of the SEA Games 33 men’s football – a well-deserved ending for the persistent, resilient, and convincing journey led by coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.