Thai newspaper praises coach Kim Sang-sik’s tactical awareness in Vietnam’s SEA Games football victory

“The SEA Games men’s football final was proof that a good start is not enough if you can’t cross the finish line first,” Siamsport commented following the match at Rajamangala Stadium on Thursday. The leading sports newspaper in Thailand has outlined five valuable lessons the host nation must learn from their failure.

The price for not scoring the third goal

Siamsport praised Thailand’s first-half performance as “almost perfect,” crediting coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul’s selection of Waris Chuthong and Kakana Khamyok. Their movement, combined with high-pressure play, disrupted Vietnam’s rhythm and prevented their build-up play.

However, Thailand’s failure to score the third goal is one of the factors that kept the game alive for Vietnam.

“It wasn’t that Thailand didn’t have opportunities, but when they missed, they had to accept the consequences,” the newspaper noted, emphasizing that it left the door for Vietnam to claw their way back.

The unsung hero

Siamsport also highlighted the contribution of defensive midfielder Chaiyaphon Atthapan as a key reason for Thailand’s early dominance. Playing alongside Sittha Boonlha, Atthapan’s tireless running, pressing and causing disruption neutralized Vietnam’s attacks in the first 45 minutes. Many times the visitors tried to build up play, but Atthapan and teammates intercepted them at the midfield.

His performance proved that in major tournaments, sometimes it’s not the superstars but the unsung heroes who shape the course of the game.

The turning-point injury

The forced substitution of key center-back Chanapach Buaphan due to injury was seen as the moment Thailand’s defense fell apart. While substitute Pichitchai Sienkrathok fulfilled his job, the chemistry in the defense with Channon Thamma was not good.

The lack of rhythm and connection loosened Thailand’s defense, with positions no longer being maintained tightly. As soon as Vietnam narrowed the score to 1-2 at the beginning of the second half, the mentality and the game quickly shifted.

Thailands Chanapach Buaphan leaves the pitch on a stretcher due to injury during the SEA Games final on Dec. 18, 2025. Photo by Read/Duc Dong

Difference in adjustment from the head coach

The most critical difference, according to the Siamsportwas the response in tough situations. While Thailand appeared shocked and panicked after conceding the equalizer, coach Kim Sang-sik changed the course of the game with his sensible personnel decisions. The paper praised the risky gamble of substituting key player Khuat Van Khang for Nguyen Thanh Nhan, a move that paid off when he scored the winning goal in extra time.

On the other side, Thailand’s substitutions in the second half made no positive impact, except for number 10 Thanakrit Chotmuangpak, who was brought on too late. The gap in coaching ability became the deciding factor in the match’s outcome.

Vietnam head coach Kim Sang-sik on the sideline during the SEA Games men’s football final against Thailand on Dec. 18, 2025. Photo by Read/Duc Dong

A reset for Thai football

The defeat leaves Thailand waiting at least two more years to reclaim the SEA Games gold medal they last won in 2017. Siamsport called the loss a “lasting pain” but also a necessary wake-up call.

However, a glimmer of hope still shines through the darkness. This SEA Games has truthfully exposed both the potential and limitations of Thai football: from domestic management, the cordination and support from clubs, tactical consistency, to the resilience and ability to deal with challenging situations. They presented an opportunity for Thai football to “reset to zero” and start over.