According to Indonesian newspaper Republika, the country's Football Association (PSSI) should learn from Vietnam's approach, a football nation that recently secured a SEA Games gold medal and is considered the most stable and successful in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has broken Vietnam's record of 205 gold medals set at the 31st Games, achieving 210 gold medals as reported by the SEA Games 33 official website on the afternoon of 19/12.
According to Siamsport, the 2-3 defeat in the SEA Games men's football final not only extended Thailand's gold medal drought but also left valuable lessons on tactics, in-game adjustments, and overall structure.
Center-back Pham Ly Duc revealed that during halftime, coach Kim Sang-sik urged players to look at the stands and draw motivation from the fans to secure a 3-2 comeback victory against Thailand in the SEA Games 33 final.
Ahead of tonight's men's football final, Vietnam has secured only one victory against Thailand in SEA Games history, yet remains unbeaten in their last nine U23-level matches across all competitions.
If coach Mai Duc Chung's team defeats the Philippines in today's final, they will achieve a historic feat: winning five consecutive SEA Games gold medals.
Vietnam has 10 gold medal hopes in Muay Thai and Pencak Silat, will compete in two handball finals, four rowing finals, and conclude the day with the women's football final.
Witnessing athlete Hoang Khanh Mai face what he believed was unfair judging in her semifinal match against a Filipino opponent, coach Co Tan Anh Linh threw a water bottle and led his athlete off the mat.
Four months pregnant, Indonesian shooter Dewi Laila Mubarokah still clinched two gold medals in the 10m air rifle team and individual events at the 33rd SEA Games.
