Vietnam’s under-23 national team completed a historic three-peat yesterday, defeating Thailand 3-2 in extra time at the 2025 SEA Games final in Bangkok. The dramatic victory marks the team’s third consecutive championship win in a major regional tournament, following titles at the 2024 Mitsubishi Cup and the 2025 AFF U-23 Championship [[1]]. Under the leadership of manager Kim Sang-sik, appointed in May of last year, Vietnam overcame a 2-0 deficit to secure the gold medal and cement their status as a powerhouse in Southeast Asian football [[2]].
Vietnam’s U-23 team, led by manager Kim Sang-sik, secured a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Thailand in the 2025 SEA Games final on December 18, claiming their third consecutive championship in the prestigious regional tournament.
The hard-fought win at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok completes a remarkable run for Vietnam, who have now won three major titles in a row – beginning with the 2024 Mitsubishi Cup, followed by the AFF U-23 Championship in July, and now the SEA Games.
Kim Sang-sik, who took the helm of the Vietnamese national team in May of last year, became the first manager to lead the squad to three consecutive tournament victories, surpassing the achievements of his predecessor, Park Hang-seo, who was affectionately known as “Hiddink” by Vietnamese fans.
Vietnam dominated their group stage matches, opening with a 2-1 win against Laos and following it up with a 2-0 victory over Malaysia. They then cruised past the Philippines with a convincing 2-0 win in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with their rivals, Thailand.
The final proved to be a thrilling encounter. Despite falling behind 2-0 in the first half against the host nation, fueled by a passionate home crowd, Vietnam mounted a stunning comeback.
The turning point came in the 47th minute when Nguyen Dinh Bac was brought down in the penalty area, earning a spot-kick that he calmly converted to narrow the deficit. Vietnam began to build momentum, and in the 60th minute, Pham Ly Duc equalized with a goal following a scramble in the box from a corner kick.
The match went to extra time, where Nguyen Tan Nhan delivered the decisive blow, scoring the winning goal in the 95th minute to secure the championship for Vietnam. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the players and fans.
This victory marks Vietnam’s return to the top of Southeast Asian football, having last won the SEA Games in 2021 in Hanoi. The win solidifies Vietnam’s position as a dominant force in regional competition and provides a strong foundation for future success.
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