SEA Games 33 Football final: Vietnam produced a stirring comeback to defeat host nation Thailand 3–2 after extra time in the men’s football final at the 33rd SEA Games, securing their fourth gold medal in the competition and completing a historic treble for Vietnamese football in 2025.
SEA Games 33 Football Final: Vietnam’s comeback at 2-goal deficit at Thailand
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.
Playing in front of a packed Rajamangala Stadium, Vietnam overturned a two-goal first-half deficit before sealing victory with a decisive strike in extra time, showcasing resilience and composure under immense pressure.
Where to watch SEA Games 33 in Vietnam – Top 10 Streaming sites
Thailand asserted early control and took the lead in the 20th minute when Yotsakorn Burapha curled a superb free kick from around 25 metres beyond goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien. The hosts doubled their advantage 11 minutes later as captain Seksan Ratree surged down the right flank and unleashed a powerful long-range effort to make it 2–0.
Vietnam struggled to establish possession during that period and went into halftime facing a daunting task against an energized home side.
The momentum shifted immediately after the restart. In the 47th minute, Nguyen Dinh Bac was brought down by Thai goalkeeper Sorawat Phosaman inside the penalty area. Vietnam’s captain calmly converted from the spot to reduce the deficit and reignite belief.
Sustained pressure paid off in the 60th minute when a corner kick caused chaos in the Thai box, resulting in defender Waris Choolthong turning the ball into his own net to level the score at 2–2.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Vietnam pushed for a winner. They came close in the 72nd minute when Hieu Minh’s header crashed against the post, while Thailand also threatened on the counter. With neither side able to break the deadlock in regulation time, the final moved into extra time.
Vietnam found the decisive moment in the 96th minute. A slick move down the left saw Dinh Bac combine with Thai Son and Van Thuan, whose initial effort was parried by Phosaman. Nguyen Thanh Nhan reacted quickest, tapping in the rebound to give Vietnam a 3–2 lead.
Thanh Nhan was later forced off through injury, but Vietnam defended resolutely as Thailand threw everything forward in the closing stages, even sending their goalkeeper up for a final corner. The Vietnamese back line held firm, and the final whistle confirmed a memorable victory.
SEA Games 33 – A decent conclusion for Vietnam with a streak against Thailand
It’s been a year of glory for Vietnam football fans as different levels of the national team accomplished the historic treble in 2025.
The gold medal at SEA Games 2025 capped off a truly historic year for Vietnamese football, as Vietnam dominated Southeast Asia at both senior and U23 levels.
- 🏆 ASEAN Championship
- 🏆 SEA Games
- 🏆 ASEAN U23 Championship
What makes it even more remarkable: all three titles were won by defeating the host nation in the final.
- Beat 🇹🇭 Thailand in the ASEAN Championship final (05/01)
- Beat 🇹🇭 Thailand in the SEA Games 2025 final (18/12)
- Beat 🇮🇩 Indonesia in the ASEAN U23 Championship final
A golden year. A golden generation. Vietnam stand on top of Southeast Asian football
The triumph capped a golden year for Vietnamese football. In 2025, Vietnam completed a clean sweep of regional titles, winning the ASEAN Championship, the SEA Games, and the ASEAN U23 Championship. Remarkably, all three finals were won against host nations, underlining Vietnam’s dominance and the strength of a generation that now stands firmly atop Southeast Asian football.
