Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22 (4 PM today): Determined to win, no aiming for a draw.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The U22 Vietnam and U22 Malaysia teams will play their final match of Group B at the SEA Games at Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok) to determine the top team in the group and advance to the semi-finals.

With only 20 players left, U22 Malaysia is determined not to "park the bus" against U22 Vietnam.

"We always aim to win and get all three points. At a minimum, we can't afford to lose; just avoiding defeat is enough to qualify for the semi-finals. We are preparing very thoroughly for this match," coach Nafuzi Zain shared in Bangkok.

Commenting on their opponent, Nafuzi acknowledged that the Vietnam U22 team is a major challenge: “Vietnam is a very strong team. From the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship until now, they have proven their class. We know they are superior in many aspects, but the important thing is how we play and how we prepare.”

Coach Nafuzi is participating in the SEA Games 33 with an unstable squad (Photo: Arena Metro).

Malaysia is expected to make tactical adjustments compared to the match against Laos. Although pleased with their opening match performance, coach Nafuzi believes that the Vietnam U22 team will pose a completely different level of challenge.

Regarding personnel, winger Haqimi Azim Rosli, who recently returned to Kuala Lumpur following his father's death, is unlikely to rejoin the team in time. However, Malaysia received good news as midfielder Aliff Izwan Yuslan has been given permission to join the squad by Selangor FC.

“Laos and Vietnam are two very different opponents. Our preparations will also change. We can adjust our playing style, and players who haven’t played yet may have a chance. Everything will be assessed as the match approaches,” said Nafuzi.

Coach Kim Sang Sik calmly spoke about the possibility of Vietnam U22 defeating Malaysia.

The Vietnam U22 team will face the Malaysia U22 team at 4 PM tomorrow (December 11th). Before the match, coach Kim Sang Sik said: "After watching the match between Malaysia U22 and Laos U22, I think Malaysia is a team with excellent physical fitness and a very strong playing style."

Coach Kim Sang Sik is confident that the Vietnam U22 team will defeat the Malaysia U22 team (Photo: VFF).

"However, on the part of the Vietnam U22 team, with good preparation in terms of physical fitness and tactics, and the players' hard work in training, I believe we will achieve the best possible result in tomorrow's match."

"I constantly remind the players that tomorrow's match is not simply a group stage game. Everyone should treat it as a knockout match. Once we've got that mindset, we need a win against U22 Malaysia. Defeating U22 Malaysia is our goal," added coach Kim Sang Sik.

Expert: "U22 Malaysia is no match for U22 Vietnam"

Following their resounding 4-1 victory over U22 Laos on December 6th, U22 Malaysia temporarily leads Group B in the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games. U22 Malaysia has the same 3 points as U22 Vietnam, but they are ranked higher due to a better goal difference (4-1 compared to 2-1).

However, according to former VFF Vice President Duong Vu Lam, we are capable of defeating U22 Malaysia to win first place in Group B. The real challenge for Coach Kim Sang Sik's team will only appear from the semi-finals onwards.

Former VFF Vice President and former head of the U22 team, Duong Vu Lam (right), at the 2018 Asian Championship (Photo: TH).

Malaysian media expresses surprise at their team's chances against Vietnam U22.

Malaysian media remains quite pessimistic about their team's chances. Majoriti commented: "The 4-1 victory against U22 Laos gives U22 Malaysia a chance to advance directly to the semi-finals, thus keeping alive their hopes of winning a medal in men's football at the 33rd SEA Games."

However, the real challenge awaits coach Nafuzi Zain's team when they face Vietnam U22 in the final match of Group B.

The clash between the two leading football nations in Southeast Asia is always highly anticipated, especially at the national team level, due to their high professional quality and competitiveness. At the youth level, this match also attracts attention as fans in the region want to assess the development of football in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Looking back at previous encounters, the Vietnam U22 team has consistently defeated the Malaysia U22 team, including a victory at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/u22-viet-nam-u22-malaysia-16h-hom-nay-quyet-thang-khong-cau-hoa-20251211110804015.htm