U.23 Vietnam eagerly set off for Thailand, officially launching the SEA Games 33 gold medal hunt campaign

On the morning of December 1, the U.23 Vietnam team left for Bangkok (Thailand), carrying with them the aspiration to win the 33rd SEA Games gold medal.

Aspiration to reach the top of SEA Games

Coach Kim Sang-sik said that the U.23 Vietnam team had undergone an important training period in Ho Chi Minh City, in the context that many players had gathered late due to a tight match schedule. However, the whole team still maintained a good amount of physical and tactical training, ready to enter the opening match which was pushed up to December 3 - one day earlier than the original plan.

The Korean coach shared his feelings of excitement and nervousness when leading the U22 Vietnam team at the SEA Games for the first time, and affirmed that the team will do their best to achieve the set goals.

Vietnam U.23 team prepares to move to Thailand

The young men are ready for the fierce competition.

Captain Khuat Van Khang (right cover) and his U.23 Vietnam teammates at Tan Son Nhat airport on the morning of December 1

Photo: FBNV

VFF said: "With a carefully selected force, a young but internationally experienced squad and a long-term preparation process throughout 2024-2025, U.23 Vietnam aims to compete with determination, gradually conquering the highest goal at SEA Games 33".

In Bangkok, the SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee will arrange for U.23 Vietnam to stay at a very luxurious hotel, address: 73 Ramkhamhaeng Rd, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi, Bangkok 10240. The rooms are spacious, with an infinity pool, gym...

Before the team left, coach Kim Sang-sik decided to drop 5 players. Fans may wonder about coach Kim Sang-sik's personnel decisions. However, the Korean coach has his own reasons.

C REGRET FOR V ® HAO

On November 30, coach Kim Sang-sik finalized the list of 23 players for the 33rd SEA Games. The five names that had to say goodbye were Vi Hao (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club), Van Ha ( Hanoi Club), Duc Viet, Thanh Trung (Ninh Binh Club) and Quang Kiet (HAGL). This decision was made based on the performance in the V-League and the preparation period for the 33rd SEA Games, including the CFA China Team 2025 international friendly tournament and the training trip in Ba Ria Ward (Ho Chi Minh City).

Coach Kim Sang-sik always closely monitors the players to make optimal decisions.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

Duc Viet and Thanh Trung did not play much this season, only being called up to the training camp after Van Truong got injured. Therefore, the Ninh Binh Club duo have not yet gotten into the rhythm well with their teammates. In addition, coach Kim Sang-sik has many good central midfielders, so it is understandable that Duc Viet and Thanh Trung sadly said goodbye to SEA Games 33. In the center-back position, Quang Kiet has a big advantage in height (1.95 m) but he still needs to improve his skills to compete with his seniors. The HAGL player saying goodbye to the U.23 Vietnam team was predicted because he did not play a single minute in the 3 friendly matches in China . Meanwhile, the decision to say goodbye to Van Ha was relatively unexpected. The Hanoi FC midfielder is a quality backup option, having participated in both successful campaigns of the Vietnam U23 team, the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers. By not adding any midfielders, coach Kim Sang-sik believes that 5 players for 3 midfielder positions are enough and reserves this position for the front line.

The most regrettable case is Vi Hao. After 8 months of recovering from a torn ankle ligament injury, the best young player of Vietnam 2024 has regained his best form. His teammates at U.23 Vietnam were also amazed by the powerful running steps of the striker of Becamex TP.HCM Club. However, because he was not registered to compete in the first phase of V-League, Vi Hao does not have a good feeling for the ball. If he is able to play regularly in the coming time, the striker born in 2003 still has the opportunity to participate in ASIAD 20, taking place in September 2026 in Japan.

What is Coach K Im Sang -S Ik calculating?

Compared to the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament and the 2026 Asian U.23 qualifiers, the Vietnam U.23 team has two new players at the 33rd SEA Games: midfielder Quoc Cuong (Ho Chi Minh City Police Club) and striker Le Phat (Ninh Binh Club). The common point of these two players is their versatility, showing that coach Kim Sang-sik will likely constantly change the way the Vietnam U.23 team operates depending on the opponent and the time. Quoc Cuong's best position is central midfielder, but he is also ready to move to the wing. Meanwhile, Le Phat is a smart, skillful player who can take on many roles in the attack such as attacking midfielder and winger. These are two players expected to bring surprises to the opponent. At the same time, with versatile players, the rotation of the squad, saving energy for the pillars, and "hiding cards" of the Vietnam U.23 team will take place smoothly.

The rest of the U.23 Vietnam team will still rely on a familiar framework. Key players such as goalkeeper Trung Kien, the trio of central defenders Ly Duc, Nhat Minh, Hieu Minh, fullback Phi Hoang, Anh Quan, midfielder Xuan Bac, Van Khang, and striker Dinh Bac all have stable performance. Therefore, coach Kim Sang-sik will find it difficult to give opportunities to Duc Viet, Quang Kiet or Thanh Trung when this group of new players has not yet shown their superiority in terms of expertise.

Every decision of Coach Kim Sang-sik is aimed at the ultimate goal of creating the most even and effective team at SEA Games 33. The U.23 Vietnam team will have stability from the pillars to ensure smoother tactical operations and gameplay. The "young warriors" will also bring surprises from new elements. Those are important factors for the U.23 Vietnam team to be able to conquer the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-hao-huc-len-duong-sang-thai-lan-chinh-thuc-chien-dich-san-vang-sea-games-33-185251130222541477.htm