U.23 Vietnam is ready to accept the challenge at SEA Games 33

U.23 Việt Nam có động lực mạnh mẽ từ tình yêu cuồng nhiệt của người hâm mộ - Ảnh 1. — Coach Kim Sang-sik (right) shakes hands with his compatriot Ha Hyeok-jun, coach of Laos U.23, at the press conference.

U.23 Vietnam has strong support from behind

After more than a year of "best possible" preparation as affirmed by the VFF leadership, the Vietnam U.23 team is ready to enter the first match at the 33rd SEA Games, against Laos U.23 at 4:00 p.m. on December 3, at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Thailand.

This is a tournament that U.23 Vietnam has received very high expectations from a large number of fans, after careful preparation, impressive results and performances from winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship to qualifying for the 2026 Asian U.23 Championship and 3 friendly tournaments in China.

Coach Kim Sang-sik said: "As the head coach of the Vietnamese team, this is my first time participating in the SEA Games with very high expectations. First of all, I would like to thank the Vietnamese fans who have always supported the team.

U.23 Việt Nam có động lực mạnh mẽ từ tình yêu cuồng nhiệt của người hâm mộ - Ảnh 2. — Vietnam U.23 team has positive spirit before the opening match

I hope that in Vietnam, everyone will watch on TV, or Vietnamese fans will come to Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok to support the U.23 Vietnam team. We will be determined to bring the best results for Vietnamese fans."

The motivation to be determined to 'hunt for gold'

Confidence and determination are the common feelings of the U.23 Vietnam team. In the press conference before the first training session in Bangkok on the afternoon of 1/13, captain Khuat Van Khang clearly expressed his desire and responsibility to have a good performance to repay the fans.

The midfielder born in 2003 affirmed: "U.23 Vietnam did not achieve good results at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. My teammates and I will be more determined to bring the best results for Vietnamese football.

U.23 Việt Nam có động lực mạnh mẽ từ tình yêu cuồng nhiệt của người hâm mộ - Ảnh 3. — Coach Kim Sang-sik will have a surprise for U.23 Laos?

The captain's armband is not a pressure, I see it as a responsibility to try harder, support and promote the team spirit towards the common goal, to repay the strong support and trust of Vietnamese fans."

Returning to the press conference on the afternoon of December 2 at Rajamangala Stadium before the first match of Group B, men's football at SEA Games 33, coach Kim Sang-sik received questions from Thai media about Vietnam's ability to reach out to the continent.

The Korean coach said: "I know that Vietnamese players are all very good, capable, and have good fighting spirit. Domestic fans are also very passionate about football, cheer enthusiastically, and will create an impressive wave.

As head coach of the Vietnam national team and U.23 Vietnam, I will try to create an even stronger impact, so that the players can perform well on the field to achieve better results in the future, at the Southeast Asian level and beyond."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-san-sang-don-nhan-thach-thuc-tai-sea-games-33-185251202135240405.htm