Vietnam U.23's excellent semi-final schedule: What time are the matches, and which team will they face?

After defeating U.23 Malaysia in the final match, U.23 Vietnam advanced to the semi-finals as the top team in Group B.

Vietnam U23 awaits their opponent in the semi-finals.

Vietnam U23 concluded their SEA Games 33 group stage campaign with a perfect record, defeating Malaysia U23 2-0. Goals from Hieu Minh and Minh Phuc secured a full 6 points for Coach Kim Sang-sik's team, scoring 4 goals and conceding only 1.

Thus, the Vietnam U23 team has secured a place in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive SEA Games. Their opponent is yet to be determined, pending the conclusion of the remaining matches in Groups A and C.

Thailand U23 topped Group A, Vietnam U23 topped Group B, and the Philippines U23 topped Group C. The best runner-up team has yet to be determined.

Vietnam U23 team secures a place in the semi-finals.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

However, according to the SEA Games 33 organizing committee's bracket, if U23 Thailand wins their group, they will be given priority to face the best runner-up. Group A has already been won by the Thai team, meaning U23 Thailand will face the best runner-up, while the winners of Groups B and C will play against each other.

Therefore, Vietnam U23 (first in Group B) will face the Philippines U23 (first in Group C). The match will take place at 3:30 PM on December 15th at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The U.23 Philippines' qualification for the semi-finals was a surprise achievement, as the youth team, nicknamed "The Azkals," did not have a rich history of success in Southeast Asian tournaments.

However, with a large contingent of naturalized players, including 13 players currently playing abroad, such as goalkeeper Nicholas Guimarães (Juntendo University, Japan), defenders Isaiah Alakiu (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Gabriel Guimarães (Ichikawa, Japan), Santiago Rublico (Alcorcon, Spain), John Lucero (Kanachaburi Power, Thailand), midfielders Stavros Charalampous (California Baptist University, USA), Javier Mariona (AV Alta, USA), Antoine Ortega (Omonia Aradippuo, Cyprus), Jared Peña (Washington University, USA), Sandro Reyes (FC Gütersloh, Germany), and forwards Otu Banatao (Old Dominion University, USA), Dylan Demuynck (Lierse, Belgium), Alex Monis (New England Revolution B, USA), the Philippines U23 team resembles an expanded European or American national team.

The U23 Philippines also possesses a fast, strong, and direct playing style typical of European football, based on aerial balls and counter-attacks. Coach Garrath McPherson's team defeated U23 Myanmar (2-0) and U23 Indonesia (1-0) with impressive physical strength.

At the Southeast Asian U.23 Championship, Vietnam's U.23 team struggled to come from behind and win 2-1 against the Philippines' U.23 team in the semi-finals. However, at that time, the Philippines' squad only had 7 players of European and American descent, half the number currently.

Another tough challenge awaits the Vietnam U23 team, but they must overcome it for the journey to become worthwhile.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-ban-ket-cuc-dep-cua-u23-viet-nam-da-may-gio-gap-doi-nao-185251211191842701.htm