Vietnam futsal team and the final matches at SEA Games 33

Head coach Diego Giustozzi affirmed that the Vietnamese futsal team will approach the SEA Games with the highest spirit, considering each match as a final, while aiming for long-term goals.

The Vietnamese futsal team is actively preparing for the 33rd SEA Games during a training session in Ho Chi Minh City. Coach Diego Giustozzi said that this gathering is important not only for the 33rd SEA Games but also to prepare for the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship.

The team is in the process of rejuvenation, so it really needs highly competitive matches like the SEA Games for the players to play, improve their skills and enhance their competitive spirit. “We have two goals in this preparation period. The first is to aim for the 33rd SEA Games, the second is to prepare for the 2026 Asian Futsal Finals. I have a dream and belief that this young generation can aim for the next World Cup,” said Mr. Diego Giustozzi.

Vietnam futsal team practices hard for SEA Games 33. Photo: VFF

In the context of the team having difficulty finding any international friendly matches before the tournament, the Argentine coach believes that the whole team will still know how to adapt. Coach Diego Giustozzi sees this as a challenge but not a barrier: “Our last match was two months ago. Life sometimes encounters some obstacles but the coaching staff will find a way to overcome them. The team is now completely different from when I first arrived here.

In the past, we always had difficulties, but now the team knows how to play to impose itself on the underdogs. The results and performance of the team in the recent Asian qualifiers are proof. We are gradually approaching the top teams in Asia such as Thailand, Iran or Japan."

Coach Diego Giustozzi said the 17 players called up are all suitable choices for the philosophy of "building. The testing and screening phase has passed. The players present this time all meet the tactical requirements. I am very happy to have two more young players in the training camp. It was really a headache to have to choose 14 players to attend the 33rd SEA Games".

According to the SEA Games 33 schedule, the Vietnamese futsal team must play 4 consecutive matches in 4 days. Mr. Diego Giustozzi emphasized that the dense competition schedule makes each match decisive: "With the round-robin format, each upcoming match is a final match, no mistakes are allowed. The opening match against Malaysia is the most important, because they are progressing very quickly and are getting closer to us. The team must focus on each match."

Captain Pham Duc Hoa assessed that the Vietnamese futsal team currently possesses the strongest force in the past few years. Although the average age is quite young, most of the players have spent nearly a year working with coach Diego Giustozzi, and have accumulated significant experience through official tournaments. Faces such as Vu Ngoc Anh or Nguyen Da Hai have matured quickly and are ready to take on a bigger role in the squad. The combination of young players and experienced pillars creates a "new wind", helping the whole team maintain a positive competitive spirit.

The player who has participated in three SEA Games said that the gold medal is still the biggest goal of his career. He said: “If I win the gold medal, it will be a historic milestone and the most perfect way for me to close my journey in the national team jersey.”

Coach Diego Giustozzi acknowledged that the expectation of winning the 33rd SEA Games Gold Medal is both a pressure and a motivation. He affirmed that the whole team is ready to face the challenge to reach a new milestone: “At the national team level, pressure is always present. But this is also an opportunity for Vietnamese futsal to win its first title. We have played well against Thailand and Indonesia, so there is no reason not to aim for this goal.”

With a squad of young players full of potential, the guidance of coach Diego Giustozzi and the determination of leaders like Pham Duc Hoa, the Vietnamese futsal team is heading towards the 33rd SEA Games with great confidence and the goal of conquering the highest ranking.

U22 Vietnam receives good news

In the press conference after the 1/8 round match of the 2025-2026 National Cup, coach Mano Polking confirmed that Hanoi Police Football Club will create conditions for striker Dinh Bac and defender Minh Phuc to join the Vietnam U22 team early to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games.

Previously, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said that the two players above would not be able to join the team and play in the opening match of the SEA Games due to being busy with their home team's duties in the international arena.

The fact that both players were given the opportunity to gather early is good news for U22 Vietnam as well as coach Kim Sang-sik personally. U22 Vietnam will have the strongest squad for the upcoming important campaign.

According to the plan, today, Dinh Bac and Minh Phuc will move to Vung Tau to join the U22 Vietnam team. Meanwhile, the other players were present at the "headquarters" on November 23.

According to the plan, U22 Vietnam will have about 2 weeks of training before leaving for Thailand on December 1. Khuat Van Khang and his teammates will meet U22 Laos in the opening match of the SEA Games on December 4 and face U22 Malaysia a week later.

Currently, U22 Vietnam is still proactive thanks to the long-term preparation foundation, creating a foundation for the whole team to aim for the Congress with the goal of competing for the Gold Medal and affirming the strength of Vietnamese youth football. ( HH )

Source: https://cand.com.vn/the-thao/tuyen-futsal-viet-nam-va-cac-tran-chung-ket-tai-sea-games-33-i789151/