Will Bui Vi Hao break the SEA Games curse for the third time?

Having been eliminated twice in a row before SEA Games 31 and 32, can striker Bui Vi Hao win a spot at the upcoming SEA Games 33 in Thailand?

Will Bui Vi Hao have fun attending SEA Games 33? - Photo: VFF

On the evening of November 12, the Vietnam U22 team defeated host China U22 1-0 in the opening match of the CFA China Team - Panda Cup 2025 International Friendly Tournament held in Chengdu.

Notably, striker Bui Vi Hao returned to the field for the first time after 8 months of absence due to a torn delta ligament and a fractured fibula in his right ankle.

He entered the field in the 74th minute to replace Quoc Viet and played quite well. If the Chinese referee had been more accurate, the U22 Vietnam team could have been awarded a penalty in the 84th minute, when defender Liu Hao Fan pushed Bui Vi Hao down in the penalty area.

The injury caused Bui Vi Hao to miss the opportunity to join the Vietnam U22 team to win the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship as well as compete in the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers.

And from having little chance to participate in SEA Games 33, this 22-year-old striker has recovered from his injury at a miraculous rate. He was called back by coach Kim Sang Sik to the U22 Vietnam team to participate in Panda Cup 2025 to check his recovery level as well as his performance.

Bui Vi Hao still has two more matches with U22 Uzbekistan (November 15) and U22 Korea (November 18) to prove his return.

If he regains his peak form, he will significantly increase the squad depth and improve Vietnam U22's chances of competing for a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games next month.

Bui Vi Hao in the victory over Myanmar at the ASEAN Cup 2024 - Photo: NK

Because of his speed and sharp finishing skills, and his experience playing for the Vietnam national team, Bui Vi Hao "outperforms" other strikers of the current U22 Vietnam attack. At the same time, he diversifies the home team's attack.

The only problem is whether Bui Vi Hao will be able to regain his peak form in time to have his first SEA Games?

No more than three for Bui Vi Hao

SEA Games 31 at home in 2022, Bui Vi Hao was eliminated by coach Park Hang Seo in the final preparation stage.

It is understandable that at the age of 19, although Vi Hao is excellent, it is difficult to compare in experience with the remaining strikers such as Tien Linh (1 of 3 overage players who were reinforced), Nham Manh Dung, Nguyen Van Tung or Ho Thanh Minh.

Bui Vi Hao will continue to be absent from the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. Although he is the youngest striker with the most goals in the 2023-2024 V-League with 5 goals, he was still dropped by coach Philippe Troussier because he was considered unsuitable for the ball-controlling style of play.

But when coach Kim Sang Sik came to Vietnamese football, Bui Vi Hao was recognized. He was given the opportunity by the Korean coach and made his mark on the Vietnamese team.

In the ASEAN Cup 2024 that the Vietnamese team won, Vi Hao was the U22 player who started and played a lot, not Van Khang or goalkeeper Trung Kien.

The injury at the end of March 2025 seemed to have forced Bui Vi Hao to say goodbye to SEA Games 33. And now he has returned to play. His chance to participate in SEA Games 33 still has to wait after two more matches at Panda Cup 2025.

Hopefully, no sooner than three years have passed, Bui Vi Hao will have the opportunity to attend SEA Games 33.

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NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bui-vi-hao-lieu-co-lan-thu-3-pha-dop-sea-games-20251113142736786.htm