Vietnam's U.23 opponents are not weak.
At the 33rd SEA Games in December, coach Kim Sang-sik is bringing a young but experienced squad to Thailand. Commentator Vu Quang Huy told Thanh Nien newspaper that the Vietnamese U23 team is one of the most experienced teams in this year's regional sports event. Many players in the U23 age group have participated in the SEA Games for the second consecutive time, and even names like goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, midfielder Khuat Van Khang, and striker Nguyen Dinh Bac have regularly honed their skills in international competition while playing for the national team. However, as the quality of the Vietnamese U23 squad improves, their regional rivals are also getting stronger every day.
Vietnam U23 is predicted to face difficulties from the semi-finals of SEA Games 33.
PHOTO: MINH TU
Vietnam U23 is in Group B with Malaysia and Laos. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team is expected to have little difficulty advancing from the group stage. However, challenges will arise when the Golden Star team reaches the semi-finals, where they are likely to face strong regional football nations such as Thailand and Indonesia. Theoretically, it's entirely possible that Vietnam U23 will encounter tough opponents like Thailand or Indonesia in the semi-finals. These are also two teams that are heavily investing and meticulously preparing for the SEA Games gold medal.
Thailand's U23 team, with the advantage of playing at home, is determined to return to the top of the region after three consecutive tournaments without a trophy (from 2019 to the present). Most recently, the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Nualphan Lamsam (Madam Pang), successfully persuaded and is expediting the naturalization process for Jude Soonsup-Bell. The 21-year-old striker grew up in England, currently playing for Grimsby Town (League Two), and previously played for England's youth teams (U15 to U19) before signing a professional contract with Chelsea and making appearances for the club's first team in the Carabao Cup. Soonsup-Bell is expected to make his debut for the Thai national team during the FIFA Days in November. The fact that the FAT President personally "recruited" this player not only serves the strategy of rejuvenating Thai football, but is also an important move to strengthen the U.23 team of the "War Elephants" to compete in the 33rd SEA Games. The Thai youth team's attack promises to be dangerous with the appearance of newcomer Soonsup-Bell, alongside the outstanding young talent Yotsakorn Burapha.
Meanwhile, Indonesian football is focusing all its efforts on successfully defending its gold medal. This is understandable, because after failing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Indonesian national team no longer has any major goals in 2025 or 2026, before participating in the 2027 Asian Cup. The President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), Erick Thohir, affirmed that he will do everything possible to ensure the U23 team has the best possible squad. PSSI is working to negotiate for naturalized players such as Adrian Wibowo, Mauro Zijlstra, Ivar Jenner, and young star Marselino Ferdinand (playing abroad) to participate in the 33rd SEA Games. Because the regional games are not part of the FIFA competition system, the clubs have the right to refuse to release their players. Meanwhile, the Indonesian domestic league has been temporarily suspended to create the most favorable conditions for the U23 team.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-gap-nhieu-thu-thach-o-sea-games-33-185251029215021823.htm
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