The 33rd SEA Games men's football semi-final is also the second time this year that the pillars of U22 Vietnam and U22 Philippines have the opportunity to face each other in a semi-final match.
The most recent time was at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament in July. U22 Vietnam came back to defeat their opponent with a score of 2-1, thereby winning the right to play in the final match and won the championship after defeating host U22 Indonesia with a score of 1-0.
The semi-final match of the 33rd SEA Games will also be an opportunity for U22 Philippines to reclaim the debt of the defeat not long ago. Compared to the tournament held in Indonesia, U22 Philippines did not have many changes in personnel, however, their playing style has been greatly improved in all aspects.
Diverse playing style along with stable personnel have helped U22 Philippines bring positive effects at the 33rd SEA Games. The two consecutive wins against opponents U22 Myanmar and U22 Indonesia to enter the semi-finals as the top team in Group C also partly spoke about the strength of this team.
In addition to the ability to attack effectively and with many pieces, the U22 Philippines defense also partly brought security to coach Garrath McPherson as up to now, they are the only team to have reached the semi-finals without conceding any goals. The solidity of the U22 Philippines defense is also a strength for this team to confidently neutralize the attack of U22 Vietnam in the semi-finals.
Sharing at the press conference before the match, coach Garrath McPherson of U22 Philippines said that he and his colleagues have prepared their students with the best to prepare for the U22 Vietnam confrontation.
Meanwhile, captain Sandro Reyes of the U22 Philippines highly appreciated U22 Vietnam in the semi-final, however, this midfielder also emphasized that the progress of U22 Philippines in recent times can compete fairly with any opponent to win and enter the final match of the 33rd SEA Games.
