A formidable opponent
The U22 Philippines entered the semi-finals as group C winners with consistent form and confidence after two wins: 1-0 against U22 Indonesia and 2-0 against U22 Myanmar.
The U22 Philippines' journey through the group stage at the 33rd SEA Games was truly impressive; they showcased a modern, disciplined style of play, based on excellent physical fitness and good organization.
The core of the U22 Philippines team consists of national team players such as the striker duo Dylan Dmuynck and Otu Banatao, and midfielders Sandro Reyes and Javier Mariona. In addition, they have seven players who participated in the two previous SEA Games.
Highlights of Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22: A resilient victory at Rajamangala Stadium.
Winning first place in the group not only reflects the significant progress of Philippine youth football but also shows that they are ready to compete on equal footing with the "big names" in the region.
The convincing victories in the group stage helped the Philippines U22 team build the necessary confidence before entering the semi-finals.
Not only did the Philippines U22 team impress at the SEA Games 33, they also caused Vietnam U22 a lot of difficulties in the semi-finals of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.
Back then, this team played tight defense, launched sharp counter-attacks, and forced the Vietnam U22 team to work very hard to control the game.
Even worse, the Vietnam U22 team conceded the first goal and had to rely on Đình Bắc and Xuân Bắc to score in turn to reach the final and subsequently win the championship.
Those memories certainly remain valuable as a reminder to the Vietnamese players that any complacency could be costly in the rematch on December 15th, especially since the U22 Philippines team is showing significant progress and excellent form at the SEA Games 33.
Determined to win
If the U22 Philippines have reason to be confident, then the U22 Vietnam team also has ample grounds to believe in a positive outcome. Although the group stage journey wasn't entirely smooth, coach Kim Sang-sik's team showed their ability to overcome difficulties and their tenacious fighting spirit.
Following their 2-0 victory against U22 Malaysia, U22 Vietnam showed significant improvement, particularly in ball control, transitions, and defensive organization. These are crucial elements when entering a tense semi-final match.
The biggest strength of the Vietnam U22 team is their desire to win and their tradition in the SEA Games. After only winning a bronze medal in the previous Games, the goal of coach Kim Sang-sik's team this time is nothing less than a ticket to the final, and even further, the gold medal.
There is pressure, but it also motivates the young players to perform at over 100%, showcasing the character of an ambitious team.
“The Philippines played earlier, so they had an advantage in terms of recovery. The most important thing right now is to prepare physically and tactically as best as possible. Our goal is to reach the final and win the championship at Rajamangala,” said coach Kim Sang-sik about the Vietnamese U22 team's objective before the semi-final match.
The SEA Games 33 semi-final match is not only a clash between two teams that won all their group stage matches, but also a measure of the ambition and maturity of the Vietnam U22 team. The opponent is more advanced, the challenge is greater, but that is precisely when the fighting spirit and desire to win are at their highest.
With thorough preparation, high determination, and the belief of the fans, the Vietnam U22 team can absolutely aim for a convincing victory, thereby opening the door to the final.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/lich-thi-dau-ban-ket-sea-games-33-cua-u22-viet-nam-quyet-tam-danh-bai-u22-philippines-188007.html
Comment (0)