Vietnam U22 football team:

Concluding the CFA Team China - Panda Cup 2025 International Football Tournament in China with many valuable experiences, the Vietnam U22 football team is entering a phase of accelerated preparation for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) with a more proactive, realistic mindset and greater determination.

Lessons in tactics, competitive spirit, and team refinement are crucial foundations for coach Kim Sang-sik and his players to aim for the gold medal – an achievement that Vietnamese football is eager to replicate.

A moment from the match between the Vietnam U22 team (in white jerseys) and the China U22 team at the CFA Team China - Panda Cup 2025 International Football Tournament. Photo: CFA

Valuable lessons from Panda Cup 2025

The CFA Team China - Panda Cup 2025 international football tournament provides the Vietnam U22 football team with three high-quality "test matches" against top continental opponents: China U22, Uzbekistan U22, and South Korea U22.

The biggest strength of the Vietnam U22 team is their defensive ability. Facing teams with superior physique, stamina, and speed, the team only conceded two goals in three matches. Rotating the three central defenders in each match allowed head coach Dinh Hong Vinh to accurately assess each player's capabilities, thereby identifying the core group of players for the SEA Games 33. Players like Nhat Minh, Hieu Minh, Ly Duc, and goalkeeper Trung Kien are emerging as reliable pillars of the team.

However, the attacking line revealed limitations in their finishing ability. Players like Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet, and Nguyen Thanh Nhan have yet to demonstrate sharpness in crucial situations. The only goal at the Panda Cup 2025 came from a substitute defender, showing the team's lack of consistency in finishing – a vital factor when entering the SEA Games, where the Vietnam U22 team often has to play an attacking game.

Psychologically, despite losing to U22 South Korea, the team maintained good fighting spirit and created significant pressure at times. The gap in skill level between the two teams is not too large and can certainly be narrowed through professional training in the coming period.

According to football expert Phan Anh Tú, the Vietnam U22 team is well-organized, strong in tackles, and maintains a reasonable formation. However, to aim for a SEA Games gold medal, the team needs to be more diverse in attack.

Following the tournament, the Vietnam U22 team immediately began a training camp in Vung Tau ( Ho Chi Minh City) starting on November 23rd. This is a crucial phase aimed at stabilizing the team's lineup and addressing any remaining issues. The team is currently led by coach Kim Sang-sik.

Coach Kim Sang-sik stated that the biggest weakness of the Vietnam U22 team lies in their ability to control the tempo of the game and the accuracy of their passes. In important tournaments, improving goal-scoring efficiency, especially when the team is frequently on the offensive against regional opponents, is a mandatory requirement.

“At the SEA Games 33, the team needs to control the ball better and avoid being drawn into the opponent's style of play. The remaining two weeks of training are valuable time to build confidence and improve teamwork,” said Kim Sang-sik.

Leverage strengths, overcome weaknesses.

The 33rd SEA Games, taking place in Thailand this December, will continue to apply the U22 team rule (players born on or after January 1, 2003), with no over-age players. The men's football tournament features 10 teams, divided into 3 groups, with Group B including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos. With only 3 teams, every match is crucial. A single misstep could completely change the outcome, but according to experts, the U22 Vietnam team still possesses the best quality players in the group.

The list of 26 players preparing for the 33rd SEA Games includes many prominent names such as Trung Kien, Van Khang, Thanh Nhan, Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Van Truong, Cong Phuong… along with the return of striker Bui Vi Hao after nearly a year of injury treatment - a player who could create a breakthrough.

Football expert Phan Anh Tú stated: “To compete for the gold medal, a team not only needs a solid defense but also needs to create many unexpected attacking options. The SEA Games is where character is tested in every situation. The team that makes fewer mistakes will win.”

The experience from the 32nd SEA Games also serves as an important reminder. In 2023, the Vietnam U22 team played confidently but lost to Indonesia 2-3 in the semi-final, a heartbreaking defeat. Therefore, at this year's Games, the team's goal is not only to reach the final, but also to overcome the shortcomings that caused the Vietnam U22 team to miss the opportunity to compete for the gold medal.

Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed: “Winning the gold medal is not an easy task. But I believe in the maturity of the young players. We want to bring pride to Vietnamese fans.” President of the Vietnam Football Federation, Tran Quoc Tuan, stated that the 33rd SEA Games is an opportunity to test the capabilities of the next generation of national team players. We expect that the U22 Vietnam team will not only achieve the target of winning the gold medal, but also demonstrate a modern, disciplined, and proactive style of football.

With a solid defensive foundation, improved competitive spirit, and determination from the coaching staff, the Vietnam U22 team has a solid basis to set high goals at the 33rd SEA Games. Lessons learned from the Panda Cup 2025 will further boost confidence, help the team refine their playing style, and aim for the highest possible outcome at the Games.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doi-tuyen-bong-da-u22-viet-nam-dong-luc-san-vang-tai-sea-games-33-724347.html