The organizers of SEA Games 33 in Thailand have officially approved the rule to use only U22 players for men’s football. This decision aims to promote youth development, provide young talents with competitive experience, and ensure fairness among participating teams.
New Regulations and Their Impact on Teams
Previously, some suggestions were made to allow two older players in the squad to enhance competition and the quality of the tournament. However, the SEA Games 33 organizers decided against this, opting instead for a U22-only rule without the +3 allowance from previous games. This means that seasoned players like Nguyen Xuan Son and Cong Phuong will miss out on the SEA Games, impacting Coach Kim Sang Sik’s plans to include Xuan Son in pursuit of a gold medal.
Preparation Plans for U22 Vietnam
With the new regulations, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Coach Kim Sang Sik have already formulated plans for SEA Games 2025. During FIFA Days in 2024, many young players eligible for the SEA Games were called up to the national team.
Recently, the U22 Vietnamese team had the opportunity to train and participate in an international friendly tournament in China. Promising players such as Tran Trung Kien, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet, and Bui Vi Hao also trained with the national team.
Nguyen Xuan Son and his SEA Games 33 chances
Xuan Son no longer has a chance to participate in SEA Games 33 (Photo: Tien Tuan).
VFF is closely collaborating with VPF to schedule the 2025 season, ensuring benefits for both the national team and clubs. According to the plan, the U22 team will continue to be given opportunities to train during FIFA Days with the national team.
International U22 Tournament in China
In the first training camp of 2025, U22 Vietnam will participate in an international U22 football tournament in China. The tournament features four teams, including the host U22 China, U22 Vietnam, and two high-quality guest teams.
Changes to the Competition Format
In addition to the age rules, the Thai Football Association and the Thai Sports Authority proposed changes to the men’s football competition format at SEA Games 33. The tournament will now feature three groups instead of the usual two. The Southeast Asian Sports Council will meet to decide on this proposal.
Conclusion
The new age regulations for SEA Games 33 create a fairer playing field for young talents. However, this also presents significant challenges for participating teams, including U22 Vietnam. With early and thorough preparations, we hope the Vietnamese team will continue to achieve success in regional competitions.
