At a press conference held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on December 14, Head Coach Kim Sang-sik expressed confidence in the Vietnamese football team’s preparations for the semi-final match against the Philippines in the men’s football tournament at SEA Games 33. The match is set to take place on December 15 at 15:30 local time.
“We are very happy to have made it to the semi-finals. However, our goal does not stop there; we aim for a higher position. Therefore, we will fight to win tomorrow,” Kim said, highlighting the team’s readiness across tactical, physical, and mental aspects.
Vietnam advanced to the semi-finals as the top team in Group B, securing victories against Laos (2-1) and Malaysia (2-0). The Philippines, on the other hand, made headlines by topping Group C with unexpected wins against Myanmar (2-0) and the defending champions Indonesia (1-0). This marks the first time the Philippines has reached the semi-finals in men’s football since SEA Games 1991, setting the stage for a historic encounter as the teams meet for the first time at this stage.
The last competitive match between the two sides occurred during the U23 Southeast Asian Championship in 2025, where Vietnam won 2-1 after coming from behind. Despite this history, Coach Kim emphasized that past results won’t impact the current matchup. “While we won 2-1 last time, I cannot guarantee the same outcome tomorrow. However, our players have prepared well, and I am quite confident. Whatever situations arise during the match, we will surely fight and strive to win,” he added.
With the knockout nature of the upcoming match, it might go into extra time or a penalty shootout, prompting organizers to schedule it 30 minutes earlier than group stage matches to avoid conflicts with the other semi-final between Thailand and Malaysia.
Coach Kim noted that the Philippines has significantly matured in its gameplay organization and player development throughout this tournament. He asserted that the team that is better prepared physically and mentally will ultimately prevail. He turned to midfielder Khuất Văn Khang during this part of the discussion, emphasizing the collective goal of the squad to achieve something greater.
Văn Khang echoed Kim’s sentiments, acknowledging that any team reaching the semi-finals poses a serious challenge. Nonetheless, he insisted that the players feel no pressure and are focused on thorough preparation, similar to their dedication in previous Southeast Asian and Asian championships. “We promise to fight with honor for the team and the Vietnamese fans in tomorrow’s match,” he declared confidently.
