Vietnam U23 National Team kicked off their SEA Games 2025 men’s football campaign with a hard-earned 2–1 victory over Laos at Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok.
The match at Rajamangala Stadium opened with Vietnam taking immediate control. Just 13 minutes in, the Golden Star Warriors created their first real chance when Thanh Nhàn attempted an acrobatic finish, but his effort lacked power and fell safely into the arms of the Lao goalkeeper.
For the first 25 minutes, the ball rarely left Laos’s defensive half. Vietnam dominated possession but struggled to break through a compact, multi-layered Lao defensive block.
The breakthrough almost came in the 26th minute when Khuất Văn Khang’s pinpoint cross found Đình Bắc, whose difficult header forced Lokphathip into a superb save. But Vietnam didn’t have to wait long.
Just three minutes later, Đình Bắc broke the deadlock, calmly slotting home a close-range finish following a sharp assist from Phạm Minh Phúc.
The lead, however, lasted only seven minutes. A lapse in concentration at the back allowed Laos’s No.17 Khampane to pounce inside the box, firing past Trần Trung Kiên to level the match 1–1.
Vietnam continued pressing, and Thanh Nhàn came close again before halftime, but his shot struck a Lao defender. Despite Vietnam dominating 71% possession and registering five shots on target to Laos’s one, the first half ended 1–1—far from what coach Kim Sang-sik’s men expected.
Vietnam resumed the second half with renewed intensity. Quốc Việt nearly restored the lead with a stretching effort toward an open goal, but a heroic Lao defender intervened at the last moment.
The game’s drama peaked in the 60th minute. Đình Bắc accelerated past two defenders and drilled a low shot into the far corner. Initially, the assistant referee flagged for offside—claiming Quốc Việt obstructed the goalkeeper’s view.
But after consultation between the referee and his assistant, the goal was awarded. Vietnam reclaimed the lead: 2–1.
Laos almost stunned Vietnam again in the 81st minute when Khampane found himself through on goal, but he failed to generate power, allowing Trung Kiên to collect comfortably.
Three minutes later, Đình Bắc nearly completed his hat-trick after a brilliant solo run, only to fire wide with the goal gaping—drawing gasps from the Vietnamese supporters.
In stoppage time, Laos appealed strongly for a penalty after Peter went down under a challenge from Hiểu Minh, but the referee waved play on. Moments later, the whistle blew on a tense and physically demanding opener for Vietnam.
Vietnam U22 will now enjoy an eight-day break before facing Malaysia on December 11—an encounter with major implications for Group B’s qualification race.
Credit Photo : ZNews
