SEA Games 33: Vietnam defeat Thailand 3-2 to claim men's football gold medal

Playing in front of a packed Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand started strongly and made full use of home advantage. Their pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Yotsakorn Burapha curled a stunning free kick from 25 meters to open the scoring. Just 11 minutes later, captain Seksan Ratree doubled the lead with a powerful long-range strike after a rapid counterattack, sending Thailand into halftime with a commanding 2–0 advantage.

Vietnam responded with renewed determination after the break. Only two minutes into the second half, captain Dinh Bac earned and converted a penalty to pull one back. The momentum shifted further in the 60th minute when Waris Choolthong, under pressure from Vietnam attackers, turned the ball into his own net from a corner, leveling the score at 2–2.

Vietnam's U22 defender Ly Duc celebrates the team’s second goal

With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the final went into extra time. In the sixth minute, Vietnam completed the comeback as Nguyen Thanh Nhan reacted quickest to a rebound and tapped in the decisive goal.

The 3–2 victory secured Vietnam’s fourth SEA Games men’s football gold medal and their third triumph in the last four finals.

Vietnam’s U22 players celebrate their third goal against Thailand's, the decisive goal that helped Vietnam to secure the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Immediately after Vietnam’s U22 men’s football team and the national women’s futsal team superbly captured gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory letter praising the outstanding achievements of the coaching staff and the teams.

In his message, the Prime Minister wrote: “On behalf of the Government and football fans across the country, I warmly congratulate the coaching staff, the entire Vietnam U22 men’s national football team, and the national women’s futsal team for their resilient performances and their excellent achievement in winning gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games. This is a remarkable accomplishment, recognizing the teams’ tireless efforts and wholehearted dedication throughout their journey at the 33rd SEA Games.”