The scenario for Vietnam U22 to reach the semi-finals of SEA Games 33.

(Dan Tri) - The U22 Vietnam team is facing a high chance of winning a ticket to the semi-finals of the 33rd SEA Games, however, coach Kim Sang Sik's team still has to maintain high concentration in the match against U22 Malaysia (December 11).

After the second round of group stage matches in the men's football tournament at the 33rd SEA Games, the tournament's landscape is gradually taking shape as the top contenders for a semi-final spot have emerged, and the Vietnam U22 team is among them. In Group B, Coach Kim Sang Sik's team is currently second, with 3 points, the same as Malaysia U22, but trailing them in goal difference.

According to the regulations for men's football at the 33rd SEA Games, the top three teams in each group will automatically qualify for the semi-finals. Therefore, to secure first place in Group B, Coach Kim Sang Sik's team must aim for a victory against U22 Malaysia, because only by winning all three points can U22 Vietnam overtake their opponents for the top spot.

U22 Vietnam has a good chance of entering the semi-finals at SEA Games 33 (Photo: Khoa Nguyen).

However, even if they can't beat U22 Malaysia, U22 Vietnam still has a chance to advance to the semi-finals as the best second-placed team in the group. To secure this position, U22 Vietnam only needs a draw, which would give coach Kim Sang Sik's team 4 points and guarantee them second place in the group. This is because in groups A and C, the second-placed team can only get a maximum of 3 points.

In Group A, U22 Timor-Leste is currently second with 3 points and a goal difference of -3. If U22 Singapore defeats U22 Thailand in the final match, the young team from the island nation will move up to second place but will still only have 3 points. In Group C, U22 Myanmar and U22 Indonesia both have no points, with goal differences of -1 and -2 respectively. The two teams will have to battle it out for second place, but the maximum possible score will still be 3 points.

Even if they lose to U22 Malaysia, U22 Vietnam still has a chance to reach the semi-finals; however, they will no longer have control over their own destiny and will have to wait for the results from other groups. If U22 Singapore fails to beat U22 Thailand and the match between U22 Myanmar and U22 Indonesia ends in a draw, U22 Vietnam is guaranteed a place in the semi-finals (because only U22 Vietnam and U22 Timor-Leste are the two second-placed teams with 3 points, while U22 Vietnam has a better goal difference than U22 Timor-Leste).

In case U22 Singapore wins against Thailand and U22 Indonesia or U22 Myanmar wins, but the goal difference of the second-placed team in these two groups is lower than U22 Vietnam, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team will still get a ticket to the semi-finals (scenario with 3 second-placed teams all having 3 points).

Thus, as long as they do not lose to U22 Malaysia, U22 Vietnam will certainly qualify for the semi-finals. However, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team are aiming for a victory to finish the group stage with the best results.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/kich-ban-de-u22-viet-nam-vao-ban-ket-sea-games-33-20251210072937669.htm