Vietnam advanced to the semi-finals as the top team in Group B after defeating Cambodia 2-1 in their final match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 22/7. All three goals were headers. Center-back Pham Ly Duc opened the scoring in the 35th minute, and substitute striker Nguyen Dinh Bac sealed the 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, Mon Rado scored Cambodia's goal, marking the first time Vietnam conceded in the tournament.
"Before conceding, we missed several opportunities," coach Kim Sang-sik said in the post-match press conference. "Things became more difficult, but we were right to place our trust in the players."
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Coach Kim Sang-sik attends the press conference after Vietnam's 2-1 victory over Cambodia in the final Group B match of the 2025 AFF U23 Championship at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Indonesia, on 22/7/2025. Photo: Hai Tu |
Since the start of the tournament, Vietnam has scored three goals from headers and three from set pieces. Coach Kim Sang-sik hopes center-backs like Nguyen Hieu Minh and Pham Ly Duc will continue to score in the semi-final and final. However, he also expects other players to shine.
According to the rules, the best second-placed team, if from Group A, will face the winner of Group B in the semi-final, resulting in a match between Vietnam and the Philippines. The other semi-final will be between Indonesia and Thailand.
"The Philippines is a strong and balanced team. We have analyzed them, we are confident, and we will try our best," the 1976-born coach said. "The Philippines is a guest team in this tournament, so it will be easier than facing the host, Indonesia. Of course, we are preparing thoroughly to win against any opponent."
Meanwhile, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac believes Vietnam showed greater determination to win than Cambodia. "We will try even harder, work even harder to win the championship," the 2004-born striker said.
This is the 4th consecutive tournament that Vietnam has reached the semi-finals of the AFF U23 Championship. Previously, the team finished third in 2019 before winning the title in 2022 and 2023.
Hieu Luong
