SEA Games 33: Even the ‘Land of Fierce Spirits’ Turns Gentle!

Earlier this year, Kim Sang Sik’s Vietnam team defeated Thailand 3-2 to claim the ASEAN Cup 2024 title. Then, at the end of the year, also at Rajamangala, the U22 Vietnam team repeated the feat by beating U22 Thailand 3-2 in the SEA Games 33 final. This coincidence is no longer just luck but a clear sign of coaching prowess. Rajamangala, once an impregnable fortress for Thailand, has become a place witnessing the growth and resilience of Vietnamese teams under the leadership of the coach born in 1976.

However, to achieve this glory, U22 Vietnam had to endure a challenging final. In the first half, Coach Kim’s decision to start Quốc Cường in midfield did not go as planned. This choice failed to deliver the expected results. U22 Vietnam lost control of the midfield, constantly pressed by U22 Thailand, who attacked directly and aggressively. The hosts played their best half of the tournament, scoring two goals by Burapha and Seksan, reflecting their dominance in the first 45 minutes.

At that moment, Rajamangala was truly a "cauldron." U22 Vietnam faced pressure from the stands and struggled technically. But the mark of a great team is not avoiding mistakes but correcting them. Coach Kim Sang Sik acted quickly by substituting Thái Sơn for Quốc Cường at the end of the first half, which became a crucial turning point in the match.

With the midfield strengthened, U22 Vietnam played completely differently. Thái Sơn brought solidity in challenges, helping the red-shirted team escape the pressing better and gradually regain control. On this foundation, Đình Bắc emerged as a true leader. Not only did he score a penalty to narrow the gap to 1-2, but he also acted as a spiritual captain, constantly disturbing Thailand’s defense with his ball control, movement, and playmaking.

Further tactical changes by Coach Kim Sang Sik continued to prove effective. Văn Thuận and Thanh Nhàn, introduced from the bench, combined perfectly to score the decisive 3-2 goal in extra time. This clearly demonstrates the coach’s knack for substitutions, a "weapon" that has often helped Vietnamese teams turn the tide in major matches.

Looking more broadly, this victory highlights the difference in squad depth between the two sides. U22 Thailand lacked many quality options on the bench, partly because the Thai League continued during the SEA Games, making it difficult to assemble the team. In contrast, U22 Vietnam had a balanced squad, with many key players regularly performing well in the V-League throughout the tournament. Thus, it is understandable that the hosts reached the final but narrowly lost.

For U22 Thailand, the hunger for a SEA Games gold continues since their last triumph in 2017. Meanwhile, for U22 Vietnam, the SEA Games 33 gold medal strongly affirms the rise of their youth football. After only winning bronze in 2023, Vietnam has reclaimed the SEA Games title following the successes of editions 30 and 31.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team concludes 2025 with remarkable success across multiple national team levels. It is even more meaningful that Vietnamese football ends the calendar year with a symbolic victory on Thai soil, the traditional "archrival" of Vietnam’s football.

Millions of fans erupted in joy, as football—the most followed sport—brought home one of the most prestigious gold medals for Vietnam’s sports delegation. This achievement is significant amid a challenging SEA Games in the "Land of the Golden Temple." At the heart of this joy, Rajamangala once again witnessed Kim Sang Sik’s mark, who has turned this stadium into a "fertile ground" for Vietnam’s golden football dreams.