Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22: A decisive battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The match between the Vietnam U22 team and the Malaysia U22 team in the final group stage match of the men's football tournament at the 33rd SEA Games, taking place this afternoon (December 11th), is considered a pivotal encounter where both teams have the power to decide their own fate. The Vietnam U22 team only needs a draw to secure their place in the next round, but coach Kim Sang Sik and his players have set a higher goal – to win to assert their position and aim for the top spot in Group B.

The Vietnam U22 team aims to "fight to the death" to secure a place in the semi-finals. (Photo: VFF)

Vietnam U22: No acceptance of a draw.

Although their performance against U22 Laos wasn't as explosive as expected, the red-shirted team still showed many positive signs regarding their ability to control the pace of the game, reorganize their tactics, and accelerate in the second half. With high spirits, a full squad, and a desire to prove themselves at this crucial moment, U22 Vietnam entered the decisive match with great confidence.

After U22 Indonesia's unexpected loss to the Philippines, the situation in Group B became more favorable for U22 Vietnam. Just one point would be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals, but coach Kim Sang-sik's philosophy is to attack proactively and determine their own destiny. In the final training session, he even recalled the national team's 0-4 defeat against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers to inspire his players' fighting spirit.

"This isn't just a group stage match; it's a real knockout round. Winning is a must. The players are all feeling hurt after their recent defeat at the national team level, and they are very determined," Coach Kim affirmed.

According to experts, the proactive approach of the Vietnam U22 team will come from the familiar core group including Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Ly Duc, and Thai Son. Quoc Cuong's return to the starting lineup strengthens their ability to intercept and control the ball – a weakness previously revealed against Laos U22. Coach Kim will also likely instruct the defense to tighten discipline against Malaysia's fast-paced attacks.

Football expert Tran Anh Tu commented: “The strengths of the Vietnam U22 team lie in their speed and mid-range pressing ability. If we maintain that intensity from the start of the match, we are capable of forcing Malaysia into gaps and mistakes. The only issue is accuracy in crucial moments.”

In the attacking line, Dinh Bac continues to be the focal point with his high performance and ability to create breakthroughs. Besides him, Viktor Le and Quoc Viet are players who can make a difference thanks to their technique and acceleration. Striker Quoc Viet shared before the match: “We are not thinking about a draw. The whole team wants to win to affirm our position and to be best prepared for the semi-finals.”

The winning spirit was evident in every training session. The players are all in a relaxed state of mind and in excellent physical condition after more than a week of recovery. This gives the Vietnam U22 team the confidence to aim for an explosive match.

The Vietnam U22 team is determined to win in order to secure their own fate in advancing to the semi-finals. (Photo: VFF)

This is a crucial match that will decide who advances to the next round.

Despite their 4-1 victory over Laos U22, Malaysia U22 still revealed several weaknesses. They conceded a goal in the 4th minute due to a lapse in concentration during a counter-attack – indicating a less-than-solid defensive system. However, coach Nafuzi Zain's team possesses a dangerous attack with fast-paced passing combinations, mid-range pressing, and the unpredictability of forwards Sahal Khaimi, Harry Danish, and Moses Raj.

The return of center-back Ubaidullah Shamsul has strengthened Malaysia's defense, but they are still considered vulnerable to collapse if pressured by opponents. Some Southeast Asian experts believe Malaysia often runs out of steam in important matches, especially when playing with a large number of defenders.

Coach Kim Sang Sik, who personally attended the Malaysia vs. Laos match, pointed out: “They are strong physically and play a direct style, but they also leave many gaps behind when they push forward. The Vietnam U22 team has prepared well and has every reason to aim for victory.”

One notable point is that Malaysia's squad for the SEA Games 33 is not at its strongest, as many players are away serving their clubs. This has resulted in a lack of cohesion in their midfield – an area where the Vietnam U22 team possesses many options for ball control.

Before the match, many experts believed that the Vietnam U22 team had a significant advantage. However, caution was still paramount because Malaysia has always been a formidable opponent.

Football commentator Vu Quang Huy remarked: “Malaysia tends to play a physical and fast-paced style of football. If we get drawn into that style, we will be in trouble. The Vietnam U22 team needs to control the ball well and avoid losing possession in the midfield. If we play to our full potential, victory is completely within our reach.”

Coach Kim Sang Sik believes the match is a "life-or-death" game, where a victory would open up many advantages in the semi-finals. He emphasized: "All 23 players are in good physical condition and are mentally ready. The Vietnam U22 team has prepared thoroughly and is confident in achieving its goal."

Although both teams have 3 points after the opening match, U22 Malaysia only needs a draw to maintain their top spot, while U22 Vietnam must win if they don't want to risk competing for the best second-place spot.

In a must-win situation, coach Kim Sang Sik is expected to field his strongest lineup, proactively playing an attacking game and imposing his dominance from the start. Meanwhile, Malaysia will likely play a defensive game, waiting for opportunities to counter-attack.

If the Vietnam U22 team can maintain their sharpness in the final third of the pitch – where Dinh Bac, Van Khang, Quoc Viet, and Viktor Le have performed quite well – the chances of winning are very high.

Experts predict a narrow victory for Vietnam U22. The predicted score is 2-1 .

The match between Vietnam U22 and Malaysia U22 will take place at 4:00 PM today (December 11th). This is the moment for Coach Kim Sang-sik's team to prove their mettle, overcome pressure, and make a strong advance to the semi-finals of the SEA Games 33.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/u22-viet-nam-u22-malaysia-quyet-chien-gianh-ve-vao-ban-ket-726402.html