Coach Kim Sang-sik’s decisive personnel changes, combined with the decision to push the team higher up and apply greater pressure from the front line, were the catalysts for Vietnam’s emotional comeback against Thailand in the 33rd SEA Games men’s football final.
Vietnam entered the match at Rajamangala Stadium with a cautious approach when the team are out of possession, adopting a 5-4-1 defensive structure with striker Nguyen Dinh Bac at the top of the attacking line.
The basic formation operated as a mid-to-low block as shown below.
By failing to apply pressure from the front line, Coach Kim’s players allowed Thailand to build up play comfortably from the back. Specifically, the home team’s left center-back, Chanon Tamma, a player known for his ball control and ability to break lines with his passes, was left open to distribute the ball.
Vietnam only started pressing when Thailand started delivering the ball to the flanks, which revealed space in the midfield and the host exploited this. Based on their three previous matches, Thailand showed strength in passing and team play on the flanks, with players staying close to the ball for easier connection. That’s why they can easily switch from attacking on the wings to the middle, with players cutting inside without facing much pressure. The second goal by captain Seksan Ratree was typical of Thailand’s playing style in the first half.
Recognizing that the midfield was being overpowered, coach Kim made his first crucial adjustment before halftime. He replaced Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong with Nguyen Thai Son, a player possessing interception and passing abilities, in an effort to cover the space in front of Vietnam’s defense.
Trailing by two goals at the break, Kim had to make further adjustments in the second half, changing both pressing tactics and personnel. Le Van Thuan and Nguyen Thanh Nhan were brought in to replace Viktor Le and Khuat Van Khang in the attacking line. Both substitutes had previously made their mark by scoring off the bench in the 2-0 semi-final victory against the Philippines.
From this moment, the Vietnam’s formation was pushed higher, shifting from a mid-low block to a mid-high system.
With renewed energy, the team in red transformed their pressing tactics into a potent offensive weapon. While Dinh Bac maintained his position at the top of the attacking line, his movement changed. He often pressed from outside the box, playing like a left-winger who makes sprints into the half-space or cuts inside, targeting the Thailand defense’s build-up play.
This pressure forced Thailand goalkeeper Sorawat Phosaman into making long balls up the field. Simultaneously, Vietnam’s defense stepped up to the halfway line, compressing the space between the lines and allowing center-back Nguyen Hieu Minh to intercept loose balls easily.
This high-pressing tactic paid off quickly. Thanh Nhan recovered the ball in the opponent’s half to spark an attack. Thai Son then delivered a precision through-ball to Dinh Bac, who made the run and broke free behind the disorganized defense of Thailand. Keeper Phosaman had no choice but to rush out as Dinh Bac was fouled. On the spot, he converted the penalty to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
Ten minutes later, another neat ball recovery near the halfway line, made possible by the higher defensive line compared to the first half, started the move for the equalizer. A sharp combination between Van Thuan in the center and Thai Son on the left flank ended with a long-range shot that resulted in a corner.
From the set-piece, a trademark strength under the South Korean coach, Vietnam leveled the score at 2-2. Van Thuan delivered a curling cross from the corner to the far post, where center-backs Hieu Minh and Pham Ly Duc were positioned to apply pressure, forcing an own goal from Waris Choolthong.
The impact of coach Kim’s substitutions created the winning goal to complete the magnificent 3-2 comeback at Rajamangala Stadium. Following a long ball from goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, Thanh Nhan went for the aerial duel, allowing Vietnam to win the ball in the midfield.
Thai Son immediately drove forward and passed it to Dinh Bac, who ran down the flank before returning it to Son, who was presented in the box. He made another pass to Van Thuan, who handled the ball well in tight space before finishing from close range. Phosaman had no choice but to punch it out, and Thanh Nhan was there for the rebound.
From a disastrous first half that seemingly closed the game for Vietnam, the players, fueled by determination and the brilliant tactical adjustments of coach Kim Sang-sik in the second half, rekindled their hopes to snatch the SEA Games gold medal from hosts Thailand, marking a glorious end to a successful year of Vietnamese football.
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