Expected lineup for U22 Vietnam vs U22 Philippines in the semi-finals of the 33rd SEA Games

U22 Vietnam will face U22 Philippines in the semi-final of the 33rd SEA Games men's football tournament at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon (December 15). This is considered a big challenge for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team as the opponent has been showing very impressive form since the beginning of the tournament.

In the group stage, U22 Philippines surprised everyone by winning both matches against U22 Indonesia and U22 Myanmar, thereby winning tickets to the semi-finals early and not conceding any goals. Disciplinary play, physical strength and the ability to quickly change state make this team a tough opponent for any team.

On the other hand, U22 Vietnam topped Group B after two victories against U22 Laos (2-1) and U22 Malaysia (2-0). Although their performance was not really convincing in the opening match, coach Kim Sang-sik's students showed a clear improvement when facing U22 Malaysia, a direct competitor for the top spot.

In the context of the match being meaningful, coach Kim Sang-sik will likely use the most optimal lineup. The goalkeeper is still Tran Trung Kien, the goalkeeper maintains a stable performance and brings peace of mind to the defense.

The familiar trio of central defenders including Nguyen Nhat Minh, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Pham Ly Duc continue to be trusted. The two wings are Pham Minh Phuc and Nguyen Phi Hoang - players with good attack support, helping U22 Vietnam maintain continuous pressure.

In midfield, Nguyen Thai Son plays the role of blocking and recovering the ball, while Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong brings softness and high ability to attack to support. Up front, Nguyen Dinh Bac is an irreplaceable spearhead. The biggest problem for the coaching staff is choosing the right satellites for this striker. Nguyen Thanh Nhan is highly appreciated for his speed and ability to penetrate, while Khuat Van Khang brings solidity in organization and crossing the ball.