In the first half of the match at Rajamangala Stadium on the evening of 18/12, Vietnam faced a significant disadvantage, trailing host Thailand by two goals after just over 30 minutes. The team fought back to win 3-2 after extra time, bringing the gold medal back to Vietnam.

Ly Duc disclosed that trailing by two goals, the entire team gathered in the changing room during halftime to boost each other's morale. The key to the players' unwavering resolve came from coach Kim's message: "Look at these stands; don't disappoint all the Vietnamese fans who came here".

Ly Duc celebrates Vietnam's second goal in their 3-2 victory over Thailand in the SEA Games final at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand, on the evening of 18/12. *Duc Dong*

Those words fueled his and his teammates' determination to fight hard for the people of Vietnam and for everyone watching the match from afar. The center-back from Tay Ninh cheered continuously during the interview, pointing towards the fans behind him.

Sharing his emotions, Ly Duc stated he felt "absolutely wonderful" and revealed that the SEA Games 33 gold medal was a dream for his parents, his family, and himself. "Mom and Dad, I did it!" he shouted, tapping his left chest.

In this match, the 22-year-old center-back did not score but applied pressure that led to a Thai defender scoring an own goal in the 60th minute, helping Vietnam equalize at 2-2.

Key moments of the match.

During the game, Ly Duc consistently connected with the fans, being among the first players to run towards the Vietnamese supporters after the victory. After Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac left the field, Ly Duc also wore the captain's armband for nearly the final 10 minutes of the match.

Ly Duc also shared that the entire team wanted to fight for their teammate Nguyen Van Truong, who suffered a serious injury in the last friendly match before SEA Games 33. Despite missing a midfield leader like Van Truong, players such as Nguyen Xuan Bac, Nguyen Thai Son, and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong performed their replacement duties well.

Born on 14/2/2003, Ly Duc developed at the HAGL training academy and now plays for Cong An Ha Noi. He plays as a center-back, has made one appearance for the national team, and is often compared to Que Ngoc Hai for his aggressive tackling style. Like his senior counterpart, Ly Duc also frequently appears first when teammates celebrate goals.

Hoang An