Coach Kim Sang-sik is ready to enter the first official tournament with the Vietnam U.23 team.
Photo: VFF
U.23 Southeast Asian Championship: Surprise on opening day
Without having to wait long, viewers watching the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament quickly received a surprise gift when the U.23 Malaysia team shockingly lost to the U.23 Philippines with a score of 0-2. Previously, U.23 Malaysia was expected to be a potential opponent of the U.23 Vietnam team in the semi-finals.
Throughout the match, the U.23 Malaysia players had clear opportunities but failed to take advantage of them, conceding two goals from sharp counterattacks, scored by Banatao Bisong in the 9th and 40th minutes.
This result will open up a scenario that perhaps not many people thought of before entering the tournament, that U.23 Philippines, not U.23 Malaysia, will finish second in Group A, after U.23 Indonesia.
The joy of victory of the U.23 Philippines players
Photo: aseanutdfc
The only advantage of U.23 Malaysia at this time is that they will meet U.23 Indonesia in the last match of Group A on July 21, while U.23 Philippines will meet U.23 Indonesia earlier on July 18.
It seems that U.23 Indonesia will play the role of judge in Group A after the home team crushed U.23 Brunei 8-0, in which Dutch striker Raven alone scored 6 goals.
Three-horse race in the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament
U.23 Philippines had an excellent match day, focusing on defense and sharp counterattacks to temporarily rank second in Group B, but it will be difficult to confirm whether they can repeat the same result against U.23 Indonesia.
Schedule of group stage of U.23 Southeast Asia tournament
Photo: FPT Play
On the other hand, U.23 Malaysia has caused great disappointment, as if their players no longer have spirit when the national team consists entirely of white Westerners and the national championship allows each club to register up to 15 foreign players.
This will raise a big question mark as to whether anyone - among U.23 Philippines, U.23 Malaysia or U.23 Myanmar in Group C - can break into the three-horse race between U.23 Vietnam, U.23 Indonesia and U.23 Thailand who have taken turns winning the 4 previous U.23 Southeast Asian tournaments?
The unknown is still held by U.23 Myanmar, the team will meet U.23 East Timor at 8:00 p.m. on July 16, before meeting U.23 Thailand on July 22 to compete for the top spot in Group C. And of course, it will be the U.23 Vietnam team in 2 matches against U.23 Laos and U.23 Cambodia on July 19 and 22.
Watch the full 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Football Championship Mandiri Cup™ live on FPT Play, visit http://fptplay.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-u23-dong-nam-a-ai-pha-the-tay-ba-u23-viet-nam-thai-lan-va-indonesia-185250715223400536.htm
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