It was an evening full of controversy as the Vietnam Women’s football team was defeated by the Philippines after the shootout in the SEA Games 33 football final
SEA Games 33 Football final ended in controversy, but it was still a historic victory as the Women’s Philippines edged Vietnam in penalties to clinch the first gold medal.
Where to watch SEA Games 33 in Vietnam – Top 10 Streaming sites
The 33rd Southeast Asian Games are officially underway in Thailand, with Bangkok and Chonburi hosting thousands of athletes in a celebration of regional sporting excellence. From 9–20 December 2025, competitors from across Southeast Asia are chasing continental glory across 50 medal sports, ranging from Olympic disciplines to beloved traditional events.
SEA Games 33 Football Final: Vietnam’s Women defeated by the Philppines
Vietnam’s hopes of retaining the SEA Games women’s football gold medal ended in heartbreak on Wednesday night, as a controversial offside decision denied them a legitimate goal before they went on to lose to the Philippines in a penalty shootout.
The decisive moment came in the 29th minute of the final at Chonburi Stadium, reigniting criticism over refereeing standards at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
Midfielder Ngan Thi Van Su delivered a precise cross from the left flank into the Philippines’ penalty area, where Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy rose between two defenders to head the ball cleanly into the net. Vietnam’s celebrations, however, were abruptly halted when assistant referee Chanthavong Phutsavan raised her flag for offside.
Bich Thuy immediately protested the decision, pointing toward the assistant referee before appealing to the main official, Australia’s Rebecca Anne Durcau. The appeal was waved away, and the goal remained disallowed.
Television replays later suggested a clear officiating error. At the moment the ball left Van Su’s foot, Bich Thuy appeared to be onside, positioned ahead of at least two Philippine defenders. Replays also showed that Van Su herself was not offside when she received the ball on the wing in the buildup.
In standard refereeing protocol, the main referee typically defers to the assistant referee’s judgment on offside calls due to their positioning and viewing angle. In this case, despite being in line with play, the assistant referee made the wrong call.
SEA Games 33 Football final: What they said
The incident left a deep emotional impact on the Vietnamese striker. Speaking after the match, the 31-year-old Bich Thuy admitted she was unable to sleep that night.
“The referee took away the most beautiful goal of my career,” she said.
Former referee Phan Viet Thai, speaking to VnExpress, analysed the mistake:
“The assistant referee appeared startled. She focused too much on the player delivering the cross and failed to monitor the entire offside line from the touchline into the penalty area.”
Another Vietnamese referee suggested the official may not have had sufficient time to assess the situation fully and may have reacted only to the header itself.
Assistant referee Phutsavan, a Laotian national, has been a FIFA-listed official since 2019 and has previously officiated at tournaments such as the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup and the 2024 AFF Women’s Championship. The officiating team also included second assistant referee Kristina Bersenyova (Turkmenistan) and fourth official Baddour Alesar (Syria).
The decision sparked widespread backlash across social media and regional football forums. On ASEAN Football, fans from multiple countries criticised the call.
“That was a perfectly valid goal. I have to admit it, even though I’m Filipino,” one user wrote.
Another commented: “I’m Filipino, but I don’t want to win like this.”
A Thai fan added, “Thailand is the host and must take responsibility. Once again, I feel sorry for Vietnam.”
Despite the setback, coach Mai Duc Chung’s side continued to press but could not find a breakthrough in 120 minutes of play. The final was ultimately decided on penalties, where the Philippines prevailed 6–5 to claim their first-ever SEA Games women’s football gold medal — and bring an end to Vietnam’s quest for a fifth consecutive title.
