Culture - Sports

Vietnam finalises 23-player U22 squad for SEA Games 33 in Thailand

At SEA Games 33, Vietnam are placed in Group B alongside Malaysia and Laos. Under the adjusted schedule, the team will open their campaign against Laos on December 3 before meeting Malaysia on December 11. Both matches will be played at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VFF)
Illustrative photo (Photo: VFF)

Hanoi (VNA) – Head coach Kim Sang-sik on November 30 announced the final 23-player squad of Vietnam’s U22 men’s football team for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

The selection followed a comprehensive assessment of each player’s form, fitness, and tactical suitability across multiple training camps throughout 2025.

In the final cut, five players left the squad - defenders Le Van Ha and Dinh Quang Kiet, midfielders Tran Thanh Trung and Nguyen Duc Viet, and forward Bui Vi Hao. All had trained hard, but the coaching staff had to make optimal choices to ensure team balance and meet tactical requirements for the regional tournament.

Ahead of the announcement, Kim handed the captain’s armband to midfielder Khuat Van Khang, born in 2003, who brings valuable international experience from major tournaments including the AFC Asian Cup 2023, AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024, and the ASEAN Cup 2024. Văn Khang was also a key figure in Vietnam’s title-winning campaign at the 2025 AFF U23 Championship and in securing qualification for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. Forward Nguyen Dinh Bac was named vice-captain.

At SEA Games 33, Vietnam are placed in Group B alongside Malaysia and Laos. Under the adjusted schedule, the team will open their campaign against Laos on December 3 before meeting Malaysia on December 11. Both matches will be played at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

The squad will depart from Ho Chi Minh City for Bangkok on December 1. With a carefully selected lineup, a youthful but internationally seasoned core, and nearly two years of preparation from 2024 to 2025, Vietnam’s U22 side aim to deliver strong performances and step-by-step pursue their highest ambitions at the Games./.

VNA
#SEA Games 33 #Vietnam #football #VFF
Follow VietnamPlus

Patriotic emulation

Related News

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the send-off ceremony on November 28. (Photo: VNA)

PM confident Vietnam will shine at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand

The PM urged every official, coach, and athlete to embrace their responsibilities, compete with total commitment, surpass personal limits, and treat each match as a final, while striving to set new personal bests and achieve regional records.

See more

Shooter Trinh Thu Vinh competes in the women’s 10m air pistol team event. (Photo: VNA)

SEA Games 33: Vietnam excels with record-breaking performances

The trio of Nguyen Thuy Trang, Trinh Thu Vinh and Trieu Thi Hoa Hong delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 10m air pistol team event on December 14. Competing with consistency and precision, the Vietnamese shooters amassed a total of 1,711 points to win the gold medal and shatter the SEA Games record.

Director Dang Thai Huyen (second from left) and actors of 'Red Rain'. (Photo courtesy of VFDA)

‘Red Rain’ closes Vietnamese Film Week in Paris

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, ‘Red Rain’ draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. The film has stormed into the history books as Vietnam’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, with 700 billion VND (nearly 26.5 million USD) in revenue.

A visitor learn about the traditional embroidery craft of the Pa Di ethnic group in Muong Khuong commune (Photo: VNA)

Lao Cai works hard to preserve Pa Di people’s traditional crafts

To preserve their cultural heritage and values, and prevent traditional crafts, especially traditional costume-making, from fading away, the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong, Lao Cai province, are actively working with local authorities and agencies on preservation efforts.

German friends taste Vietnamese pho (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Pho Day launched in Europe amid broader culinary push

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join in the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.

This is Nguyen Thi Huong's second gold at SEA Games 33 and her 10th gold in her career. (File photo: tuoitre.vn)

SEA Games 33: Vietnam win gold in women's canoe double

In the qualifying round, they led with a time of 44.875 seconds. In the final, the duo continued to display outstanding form, completing the race in 43.419 seconds, finishing first ahead of strong competitors from Indonesia and Thailand.

U22 men’s and women’s national football teams (Photo: VFF)

PM congratulates football teams on SEA Games semifinal berths

Through VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan, the PM praised the squads for their full commitment to the nation, highlighting their strong will, resilience and determination, while urging coaches Mai Duc Chung and Kim Sang-sik to focus on meticulous semifinal preparations.