Thailand and Indonesia are the main opponents of U22 Vietnam.

The Vietnam U22 team has finished training in Ho Chi Minh City and gone to Thailand to prepare for the group stage matches of the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games on December 1.

After a comprehensive assessment of each player's form, fitness and tactical response through the training and concentration stages in 2025, the Korean strategist decided to part ways with defenders Le Van Ha and Dinh Quang Kiet, midfielders Tran Thanh Trung and Nguyen Duc Viet and striker Bui Vi Hao. Among them, Thanh Trung, Duc Viet and Vi Hao are experienced, high-class players but due to injuries, they have not been in the best physical condition.

The core of the current U22 Vietnam squad are the players who won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and qualified for the 2026 Asian U23 Championship finals. Expressing his determination to win the gold medal in men's football at the 33rd SEA Games, coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed: "The first match (against Laos, December 3) is always difficult and important in the tournament. We have carefully analyzed to build the most effective attack plan, trying to score many goals to create an advantage from the start."

U22 Vietnam is ready for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. Photo: VFF

Experts believe that U22 Vietnam has a "wide door" to the semi-finals but needs to overcome the difficult challenge of Thailand and Indonesia to change the color of the medal at the SEA Games. Thailand has home field advantage and is determined to regain the championship position of the tournament, something they have not achieved since 2017.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is the defending champion, using high-quality naturalized players such as: Dion Markx, Ivar Jenner, Rafael Struick, Jens Raven and Mauro Zilstra... Besides, half of the U22 Indonesia squad at the upcoming SEA Games used to play for the national team at the ASEAN Cup 2024.

At the 33rd SEA Games, the Vietnam U22 team is in Group B with Malaysia and Laos. According to the schedule, after the opening match against Laos U22, the team will face Malaysia U22 on December 11, at Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok).

With a carefully selected force, a young but internationally experienced team and a long-term preparation process throughout 2024-2025, U22 Vietnam aims to conquer the highest position at SEA Games 33.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thai-lan-indonesia-la-doi-thu-chinh-cua-u22-viet-nam-196251130205935076.htm