Coach Kim Sang Sik has stopped worrying.

Coach Kim Sang Sik can breathe a sigh of relief as he prepares for the semi-final match against U23 Philippines at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.

Coach Kim Sang Sik at the training session on the evening of July 24 of the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: ANH KHOA

On the evening of July 24, the Vietnam U23 team had its final tactical training session to prepare for the semi-final match with the Philippines U23 at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship taking place at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow (July 25) in Indonesia.

In contrast to his rather nervous mood when attending the press conference before the semi-final match this afternoon regarding Pham Ly Duc's injury, coach Kim Sang Sik was much more relaxed when he saw his number one center back practicing normally that evening.

Ly Duc no longer has pain in the ankle he suffered while warming up for the match against U23 Cambodia in the final round of Group B.

Although he still entered the field and headed the opening goal for the Vietnam U23 team in the 35th minute, the 1.82m tall center back had to leave the field in the 71st minute due to a recurrence of ankle pain.

He also did not go to the training ground on the evening of July 23 but stayed at the hotel to rest his leg, making coach Kim Sang Sik worried.

Center back Pham Ly Duc comfortably went out to practice on the evening of July 24 - Photo: ANH KHOA

With the return of Ly Duc, coach Kim Sang Sik not only has his strongest defense for the semi-final match against U23 Philippines but can also continue to promote Ly Duc's ability to score goals from set pieces.

U23 Philippines is a stronger opponent than U23 Laos and U23 Cambodia, so the U23 Vietnam team cannot be underestimated in the knockout round where there is no room for mistakes.

Especially when U23 Philippines has two strikers Otu Banatao (scored 2 goals against U23 Malaysia) and Javier Mariona who are highly appreciated by coach Kim Sang Sik. That is the reason why he requires the U23 Vietnam defense to play very focused, locking down this duo who are playing in the US to win.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-da-thoi-thap-thom-2025072420050209.htm