A hard-fought victory

Vietnam’s opening match at SEA Games 33 was supposed to be a declaration of strength - a dominant win to set the tone for a gold medal run, the clear target set before the tournament began.

Yet all expectations dissolved in a manner that even the most optimistic fans would struggle to accept. Against a Laos team clearly outmatched in terms of skill, physique, and experience, coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad labored to a narrow 2-1 win.

More concerning than the modest scoreline was the controversial nature of Dinh Bac’s second goal. Replays showed Quoc Viet involved in the play while in an offside position.

Fortunately for Vietnam, the Uzbekistani referee, after consulting with his assistants, overturned the flag and allowed the goal. Had it been disallowed, it’s unclear whether coach Kim’s team would have been able to find the net again against Laos.

Disappointment beyond the result

The disappointment wasn’t in the narrow margin, but in how U22 Vietnam played. Coach Kim Sang Sik may argue that his team dominated possession and applied constant pressure. But possession means little without efficiency.

While Laos have shown some improvement, it doesn’t justify the alarming number of clear-cut chances missed by Vietnam’s forwards. Finishing has been a chronic issue since the ASEAN U23 Championship, the AFC U23 qualifiers, and now SEA Games. It’s a frustrating cycle.

The team’s playing style was equally uninspired. Predictable wing runs and hopeful crosses lacked any creativity or midfield invention. Even the defense - despite having experience - left concerning gaps, especially when facing Laos’s quick counterattacks, a team not even known for fast transitions.

Opening matches are often tricky, and that’s understandable. But the way Vietnam played - stagnant in attack, unconvincing in transition, and tactically disjointed - suggests that coach Kim Sang Sik has yet to address fundamental problems.

If these issues persist, U22 Vietnam’s path to the SEA Games gold medal will be far more difficult than anyone anticipated.

Duy Nguyen