SEA Games 33: Vietnamese Women's Football Misses Out on Gold Medal

Facing the Philippines—considered the toughest opponent in the tournament—Coach Mai Duc Chung’s team approached the match with utmost caution. The 0-1 loss in the group stage still served as a warning, especially against a physically strong, aerially skilled, and highly competitive team that includes many naturalized players.

Right after the kickoff, the red-shirted players pushed their formation forward to control the game. Thanh Nha continuously stirred up the left flank with her rapid sprints. In the 5th and 10th minutes, her crosses created clear chances for Van Su, but the finishing lacked the necessary precision to score. On the other side, the Philippines stuck to long balls, forcing goalkeeper Kim Thanh to rush out several times under heavy pressure to clear danger.

The tension peaked in the 29th minute when Bich Thuy leapt to head the ball into the net following a precise cross from Van Su. However, to the surprise of the Vietnamese players and amid strong protests from the coaching staff, the assistant referee raised the offside flag. Video replays showed Bich Thuy was still ahead of two opposing players when she struck, causing the Vietnamese women’s team to lose a deserved opening goal due to an incorrect decision by the refereeing team.

The first half ended in a tense and frustrating atmosphere. The Philippines had a few long-range shots, while the Vietnamese team maintained pressure through crosses and aerial challenges. In the 45th minute, Van Su received a yellow card after a clash with goalkeeper McDaniel. Earlier, some aggressive plays by the Filipino players went unpunished by the referee, further heating up the match.

In the second half, the Vietnamese women continued to dominate possession. In the 48th minute, Bich Thuy sent a dangerous cross, but Thanh Nha failed to control the ball by a narrow margin. At the 49th minute, Van Su tried her luck with a long-range shot that went over the bar. On the opposite side, the Philippines still used their physical advantage to apply pressure, and in the 67th minute, Kim Thanh once again proved to be a reliable pillar by rushing out in time to block a dangerous breakaway from Ramirez.

In the final minutes, the Vietnamese women relentlessly pressed their opponents, playing with the unforgiving spirit expected from a team accustomed to final match pressure. However, the solid concentration of the Filipino defense, combined with a lack of sharpness in decisive moments and some puzzling referee decisions, prevented either side from breaking the deadlock during regular time.

During the 30 minutes of extra time, the Philippines focused all their efforts on defense, successfully forcing the Vietnamese women into a penalty shootout.

In this nerve-wracking penalty shootout, the Vietnamese team was unlucky as their final shot missed. Despite the loss in the shootout, Coach Mai Duc Chung’s players deserved applause for their resilience, discipline, and equal performance against their opponent throughout the match. The final ended with much regret, but the spirit and strength of Vietnamese women's football remain firmly established.