With SEA Games gold within reach, Vietnam U22 still faces a bigger challenge: making a breakthrough at the AFC U23 Championship.

SEA Games gold is within grasp

Vietnam’s U22 squad has gathered in Vung Tau with 28 players as they prepare for SEA Games 33. Winning gold is seen as a must - but given the current lineup, it’s a goal that appears entirely feasible, and arguably already under Coach Kim Sang Sik’s control.

Unlike previous SEA Games editions, this year’s U22 team includes 6 to 7 players who have played for the senior national team. Not only are their names on the roster - they’ve also taken the field at the highest level. Key figures like Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Thai Son, and Thanh Nhan form the spine of the team.

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Vietnam U22 boasts a remarkably strong squad heading into SEA Games 33.

This core group offers a level of quality far above the regional average. The rest of the squad also boasts considerable international experience, having played in numerous youth tournaments throughout the past year.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s main rivals are entering SEA Games 33 with significant limitations. Thailand, for example, is unlikely to summon its strongest lineup, as the Thai League remains in session and clubs are reluctant to release players. Indonesia faces similar hurdles, with several of its stars playing abroad and uncertain to be granted leave for the tournament.

With thorough preparations, near-full strength, and a packed international match calendar behind them, Vietnam U22 is widely considered the top favorite for SEA Games gold. In fact, Coach Kim’s squad is seen as almost untouchable in the Southeast Asian arena.

But...

Setting aside the final results of the recent Panda Cup - where the team was in testing mode - their performance across three matches, even in victory over China’s U22 team, raised critical concerns.

The only clear positive from Coach Kim Sang Sik’s players was their grit and fighting spirit.

Beyond that, serious technical weaknesses remain. The attacking line showed little creativity and rarely produced rehearsed plays to break down opposing defenses. The conversion rate was also disappointing.

More worrisome is the defensive unit. Despite boasting the tallest average height in years, their handling of aerial threats was subpar.

Both goals conceded during the Panda Cup came from crosses into the box - where defenders looked unsure of positioning and failed to win key duels.

The midfield lacked a proper orchestrator, leaving the team unable to control tempo. Too often, build-up play broke down in the opponent’s half and was recycled backward due to a lack of ideas.

From regional dominance to continental ambition

In short, Vietnam U22 may find SEA Games 33 to be a relatively easy challenge.

But stepping onto the continental stage at the AFC U23 Championship will be a very different story.

There, the team will face opponents with superior fitness, tactical discipline, and overall structure.

To compete at that level, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players must undergo a true professional transformation - far beyond what’s required to win in Southeast Asia.

Duy Nguyen