U22 Vietnam and the lesson at the pinnacle of glory

23/12/2025 14:09:00 SportScoop

Winning the gold medal at SEA Games 33 is a memorable milestone for U22 Vietnam and coach Kim Sang Sik, but this joy should not obscure the fact that this is only a regional competition, with a brief journey and limited competitive intensity. Elite football is inherently ruthless, and the history of Vietnamese youth football has repeatedly proven that staying at the top is even more challenging.

U22 Vietnam ascended to the highest podium at SEA Games 33 after thorough preparation and with many advantages. The tournament lasted only 4 matches, facing familiar opponents within Southeast Asia, where the level, resilience, and match experience have yet to match continental standards.

This does not lessen the value of the gold medal but serves as a clear reminder that coach Kim Sang Sik’s team should not confuse regional success with the true capability to compete at higher levels.

Elite football is harsh because it does not reward potential but only recognizes consistent stability and steady improvement. The history of Vietnamese youth football has produced many "phenomena," players expected to become long-term mainstays, but who ultimately dropped out early.

A prime example is the star lineup of the "golden generation" from HAGL, who once dominated the V-League and youth competitions. Most of them are theoretically entering their career peaks but have gradually vanished from the national team.

Even the generation that made history by qualifying for the U20 World Cup for the first time in Vietnamese football could not escape this elimination pattern. Notable names like Tran Thanh, Trong Dai, and Duc Chinh have struggled to find their form again. Conversely, the few players who have the resilience to reach the top, such as Doan Van Hau, Tran Dinh Trong, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Ho Tan Tai, and Nguyen Tien Linh, share common traits: regular playing time at clubs, maintained ambition, and a commitment to self-improvement.

Recent SEA Games also vividly illustrate this harsh reality. After SEA Games 31 and 32, players who once shone brightly like Nham Manh Dung and Nguyen Van Tung are still struggling to establish themselves at their clubs, not to mention the national team. SEA Games glory can arrive swiftly but fade just as quickly if players fail to sustain their form and motivation.

Van Tung (9) was once the top scorer for U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 32 but currently lacks a permanent spot at Hanoi FC. Photo: Hoang Linh

Looking at the U22 squad that just won SEA Games 33, the reality shows there are not many outstanding breakthrough talents. Dinh Bac is the clearest exception, demonstrating growth and an explosion of performance over the past two years at both club and national team levels.

Compared to his peers, Dinh Bac stands out for his composure and adaptability. Van Thuan is another interesting bright spot, while Thanh Nhan and Hieu Minh made their marks with important goals. Thai Son left a positive impression in the final, and Nhat Minh, Ly Duc, Phi Hoang, Minh Phuc, and Xuan Bac also show potential.

The rest face significant questions regarding their breakthrough potential. Players like Quoc Viet, Quoc Cuong, Van Khang, Ngoc My, Cong Phuong, Le Viktor, Le Phat, Cao Van Binh… if they do not make good use of opportunities at clubs and the national team, they could easily become names that peak early and fade away, as Vietnamese football has frequently witnessed.

U22 Vietnam wins SEA Games 33 gold: Very happy, but don’t get carried away!

Lessons from the past are not exclusive to Vietnam. Looking at Thailand, the prolonged decline of the "Land of Smiles" football since SEA Games 2017 is a clear warning. The "War Elephants" are struggling to find their footing because their current team lacks star players of the caliber of Chanathip, Bunmathan, and Dangda.

The U22 Thai team recently overturned by U22 Vietnam in the final is a visible disappointment. When youth training lacks continuity and a long-term strategy, regional dominance can be lost very quickly. For Vietnamese football, maintaining success is the true challenge.

Therefore, the message that coach Kim Sang Sik constantly reminds his players—to keep their feet firmly on the ground—is something U22 Vietnam must deeply engrain. The SEA Games 33 gold medal is only the beginning. The path ahead, where continental football awaits with a completely different level of competition, will be the real test of the courage, ambition, and ability of this young generation to stay at the top.

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