On December 11, at Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok), U22 Vietnam entered a crucial match against Malaysia for a semi-final spot in men’s football at SEA Games 33. In the starting lineup, Coach Kim Sang Sik boldly named Viktor Le, marking the return of the overseas Vietnamese player to the SEA Games after more than a decade.
Viktor Le’s presence at SEA Games 33 not only added fluidity and creativity to U22 Vietnam’s midfield but also ignited hope for a new generation of overseas Vietnamese players to continue accompanying and contributing to national football on its journey to conquer greater goals.
Playing with high energy, Viktor Le consistently pushed forward, pressing opponents and creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, luck in front of goal eluded the overseas Vietnamese player.
After missed attempts, Viktor Le consistently reacted with visible disappointment, a clear reflection of his strong desire to score and contribute to U22 Vietnam.
Towards the end of the second half, Viktor was substituted by Coach Kim Sang Sik. Speaking after the match, he stated that he is increasingly integrating well with the team’s playing style and is ready to contribute more to U22 Vietnam in the upcoming journey.
Viktor Le’s teammates also had an excellent day, decisively defeating Malaysia to convincingly secure a semi-final berth.
U22 Vietnam actively pushed their lineup forward, creating a series of attacks on the opponent’s goal from the very first minutes of the match.
In the 11th minute, U22 Vietnam executed a corner kick; Dinh Bac dropped back to receive the ball, then crossed it into the penalty area for Hieu Minh to head it in, opening the score.
The opening goal relieved pressure on U22 Vietnam, allowing them to play more coherently and confidently. In the 22nd minute, Dinh Bac surged down the wing, skillfully handled the ball, and then delivered a perfect cut-back for Minh Phuc to tap in from close range, doubling the lead to 2-0.
Entering the second half, U22 Vietnam deliberately slowed the pace, prioritizing ball control and securing their lead. Meanwhile, Malaysia grew increasingly agitated; their hurried and disjointed attacks created virtually no significant threat.
Ultimately, U22 Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory over Malaysia, thus advancing to the men’s football semi-finals as Group B winners and will face the Philippines on December 15.
