U22 Vietnam is fully capable of reclaiming the SEA Games men's football gold medal at the 33rd edition of the tournament, given the squad depth and talent at Coach Kim Sang Sik’s disposal.

A talented and deep squad

While simultaneously leading the senior national team in the Asian Cup qualifiers, Coach Kim Sang Sik has also begun preparations for U22 Vietnam’s crucial campaigns in 2025.

The key objectives include the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers and, most importantly, winning back the SEA Games 33 gold medal in Thailand.

With the recently announced squad, both fans and experts have reasons to believe in U22 Vietnam’s potential to achieve its goals at the upcoming SEA Games.

The optimism stems from the strength of the squad, which is highly skilled and composed of players with extensive international experience.

Additionally, Coach Kim Sang Sik has a wealth of talent at his disposal, with several U22-eligible players already playing vital roles for the senior national team, including Van Khang, Thai Son, Ly Duc, and Trung Kien.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s vision for SEA Games gold

Although U22 Vietnam is well-positioned to compete for gold at the SEA Games later this year, Coach Kim Sang Sik understands that significant work remains. Unlike previous editions, overconfidence must be avoided.

One of the critical tasks ahead is identifying new talents to maintain squad depth and ensure optimal performance in all upcoming tournaments.

Moreover, the team needs more international matches to gain experience, not only for the SEA Games and AFC U23 qualifiers but also to strengthen the senior national team.

Fortunately, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is fully supporting Coach Kim Sang Sik’s ambition to reclaim SEA Games gold. The federation has arranged for U22 Vietnam to compete in a high-quality international tournament in China, providing the team with valuable exposure.

With a strong squad and meticulous preparations, U22 Vietnam has every reason to be confident about qualifying for the AFC U23 Championship and, most importantly, winning back the SEA Games gold medal.

Duy Nguyen