Coach Kim Sang-sik celebrated after Vietnam defeated Thailand 3-2 in the SEA Games 33 men's football final at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, on the evening of 18/12. Photo: Hieu Luong

Vietnam entered the SEA Games 33 men's football final against Thailand with a cautious approach when out of possession, maintaining a 5-4-1 defensive structure. Striker Nguyen Dinh Bac stood highest in the attack, with the team's block positioned mid-to-low.

Without immediate pressure from the front line, coach Kim Sang-sik's players allowed their opponents to comfortably build play from the back. Thailand's left-sided center-back, number 2 Chanon Tamma, a player with good ball-playing ability and a knack for line-breaking passes, faced no pressure.

Man-marking only occurred when Thailand began to circulate the ball on the flanks. However, their previous three matches had shown their strength in quick one-two passes and group combinations on the wings, with players tending to stay close to the ball for easy connections.

Trailing by two goals in the first half, coach Kim was compelled to make adjustments during the break. These included changes in pressing organization and personnel, with Van Thuan and Thanh Nhan introduced to replace Viktor Le and Khuat Van Khang in the attack. In the 2-0 semifinal win against Philippines, both substitutes had scored after coming off the bench.

Vietnam's formation shifted higher, from a mid-to-high block. With fresh legs, the red-shirted squad injected new energy into their front-line pressing. Compared to the first half, Dinh Bac, while still maintaining the highest position in attack when out of possession, began making continuous arc-shaped runs from outside to inside to pressure Thailand's defenders as they tried to build play from the back.

It was this energetic pressing from the front that forced goalkeeper Sorawat to opt for a long ball. Vietnam's defensive line pushed up closer to the halfway line, narrowing the distance between lines, which allowed center-back Hieu Minh to easily clear the ball.

Vietnam quickly recovered the second ball in the opponent's half through Thanh Nhan, immediately transitioning to attack. As a result, Thai Son delivered a through ball, allowing Dinh Bac to break free behind Thailand's unsettled defense. This led to a penalty, from which number 7 scored to reduce the deficit to 1-2.

Ten minutes later, another interception near the halfway line, thanks to the defense pushing higher than in the first half, saw Vietnam transition quickly. There was a clear connection between Van Thuan in the center and Thai Son—another player introduced by coach Kim in the first half—on the left inside channel. Van Thuan then unleashed a shot from outside the penalty area, earning a corner kick.

From a set piece, a specialty under the Korean coach, Vietnam U22 scored the equalizer, making it 2-2. The free-kick taker was none other than Van Thuan, whose inswinging delivery was aimed precisely at the far post, where center-backs Hieu Minh and Ly Duc were waiting to surge forward.

Coach Kim's substitutions ultimately combined to create the winning goal, completing a remarkable 3-2 comeback against Thailand at Rajamangala. From a long ball by goalkeeper Trung Kien, Thanh Nhan contested the first ball, and Vietnam U22 won the second ball in the center circle, initiating an attack through Thai Son.

Midfielder number 6 immediately advanced, combining in tight space on the edge of the penalty area with Van Thuan. The number 10 player struck a low shot, which Sorawat pushed out, and Thanh Nhan rushed in to score on the rebound.

After a first half that seemed to spell the end, Vietnam's players, driven by determination and coach Kim Sang-sik's impeccable and timely adjustments, reignited their hopes and clinched the SEA Games 33 men's football gold medal.

Hoang Thong