Vietnam baseball has a historic victory, head coach is very close to compatriot Kim Sang-sik

December 6, 2025 is a historic milestone when Vietnamese baseball had its first victory at the SEA Games, defeating Malaysia to end a 14-year wait.

Vietnam baseball has historic victory at SEA Games 33

Photo: Nhat Thinh

Vietnamese baseball and 14 years of waiting for the historic moment

After 14 long years of waiting, Vietnamese baseball had its first victory at the SEA Games, when it defeated Malaysia at the 33rd SEA Games, singing the joy of victory for the first time in the regional arena.

Under the scorching heat of Bangkok, the Vietnamese baseball team played with great effort and won 5-2 against Malaysia after 9 innings lasting nearly two and a half hours.

This victory is very meaningful, as we overcame the defeat against host Thailand in the opening match, marking an important step in mental maturity and courage.

Coach Park Hyo-chul is very close to coach Kim Sang-sik

Photo: Nhat Thinh

33-year-old player Ngo Duc Thuy happily said: "The feeling is still the same as 14 years ago when playing the first match at SEA Games 2011. After losing to Thailand, the whole team sat together to learn from experience, encouraged each other to compete with determination. Today's victory is a reward for solidarity."

Development potential

Baseball is still a new sport , not popular in Vietnam, weak and lacking in many aspects such as number of players, fields, coaches... compared to strong names in the region.

However, this year, Vietnamese baseball is determined to make a mark, having received strong social support. Coach Park Hyo-chul expressed: "I would like to thank the Vietnam Baseball and Softball Federation for creating the best conditions for the team to participate in the 33rd SEA Games.

Vietnamese baseball is assessed to have good development potential.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

I once joked with coach Kim Sang-sik that I was jealous because baseball was not as popular as Vietnamese football, but Vietnam actually has great potential to develop this sport."

It is known that in real life, Mr. Park Hyo-chul has a very close relationship with the head coach of Vietnam U.23, Kim Sang-sik. Mr. Park is one of the few friends of the military leader born in 1976 in Vietnam.

Head of the delegation Hoang Trung Kien also emphasized: "The team has created an impressive turnaround for Vietnamese baseball. This success will be a driving force for development, towards regional stature, and at the same time create a bridge for international exchange and cooperation in sports."

Ahead, the Vietnamese baseball team will have 4 more consecutive matches in 4 days, along with participating in the 5-a-side baseball event for men and women, a completely new format and appearing for the first time at the SEA Games, starting from December 11.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bong-chay-viet-nam-co-chien-thang-lich-su-hlv-truong-rat-than-dong-huong-kim-sang-sik-185251206172241484.htm