The 1-0 victory over Indonesia at Bung Karno stadium on 29/7 gave Vietnam its third consecutive U23 Southeast Asian championship, following wins in 2022, 2023, and 2025. In the five tournaments held, Vietnam has won more titles than all other teams combined.
Beyond the U23 level, Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian nation to secure three consecutive championships in any men's football tournament. In other competitions, including the U16, U19 Southeast Asian championships, and the ASEAN Cup (formerly the Tiger Cup and AFF Cup), winning streaks have been limited to two.
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Xuan Bac vies for the ball with Frengky Missa during Vietnam’s victory over Indonesia in the U23 Southeast Asian Championship final at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia on 29/7/2025. Photo: Hai Tu |
Xuan Bac vies for the ball with Frengky Missa during Vietnam’s victory over Indonesia in the U23 Southeast Asian Championship final at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia on 29/7/2025. Photo: Hai Tu
In the U16 Southeast Asian Championship, Myanmar is the only team to have defended its title, in 2005. They first won the inaugural tournament in 2002. Since then, the championship has changed hands annually.
In the U19 Southeast Asian Championship, Myanmar also holds the longest winning streak with two consecutive titles in 2003 and 2005. No team has successfully defended the title since.
In the ASEAN Cup, Thailand has had its winning streak interrupted three times, in 2004, 2018, and 2024. Singapore first broke Thailand’s record streak, and Vietnam ended the subsequent two. Singapore also achieved two consecutive championships before Vietnam dethroned them in 2008.
The 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship victory also makes Kim Sang-sik the first coach to win both the U23 Southeast Asian Championship and the ASEAN Cup. He has led the Vietnamese national teams to victory in both finals. The South Korean coach's next goal is a hat-trick of titles at the 33rd SEA Games in 12/2025.
If successful, he will equal the number of official titles held by coach Park Hang-seo with the national teams. Park's achievements include the 2018 AFF Cup (predecessor to the ASEAN Cup), and the 30th and 31st SEA Games.
The 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship took place from 15/7 to 29/7, with 10 participating teams, excluding Australia. In the previous two tournaments, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) did not appoint Park as head coach. However, under coaches Dinh The Nam and Hoang Anh Tuan, Vietnam still emerged victorious. This time, with Kim at the helm, the team brought home glory from Indonesia.
Xuan Binh
