U22 Vietnam comfortably defeated U22 Malaysia to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 33rd SEA Games. Yet, despite the result, the performance still left some worries for coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.

Mission accomplished

Prior to the crucial group-stage clash against Malaysia, predictions leaned toward a tightly contested match for U22 Vietnam. But coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad showed exactly why they were regarded as one of the leading contenders for the SEA Games men's football gold medal.

U22 Vietnam’s aggressive start paid off early when Hieu Minh found the net within the opening minutes. This quick breakthrough dismantled Malaysia’s defensive strategy, which was likely designed to grind out a draw.

With the early lead, Vietnam dictated the tempo, and Malaysia, forced to push forward, left gaps at the back. Vietnam exploited these spaces effectively, controlling possession and mounting wave after wave of threatening attacks.

Minh Phuc’s second goal not only cemented the win but also ended any hopes Malaysia had of salvaging the match. Once considered Vietnam’s main Group B rival, Malaysia looked one-dimensional and lacked the dynamism to pose a real threat.

The 2-0 victory ensured Vietnam’s smooth passage to the semifinals as group leaders and reinforced their status as a regional powerhouse.

Technical concerns remain

Securing three points may have ticked the box for the team’s immediate objective, but from a performance standpoint, the display was far from flawless.

One persistent issue lies in finishing. Vietnam’s attackers frequently wasted clear chances due to a lack of composure in front of goal. There remains an absence of the clinical edge needed to kill off games early and decisively.

Another area of concern is the team’s final ball. While they made efforts to diversify their attack, the execution in the last pass often lacked accuracy and creativity, limiting the ability to unlock compact defenses.

Though Malaysia didn’t pose a major offensive threat overall, their few attacking moments still exposed occasional lapses in Vietnam’s defense. Fortunately for the team, Malaysia’s lack of stamina and sharpness meant these vulnerabilities went unpunished.

Still, Kim Sang Sik and his players have met their first milestone and remain on track at SEA Games 33. But with a semifinal clash against the Philippines looming, there’s little room for error. Even a small mistake at this stage could have costly consequences.

Duy Nguyen