Vietnam's U22 head coach, Kim Sang Sik, is facing challenges in selecting the squad for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, especially with the emergence of Vietnamese players playing overseas. With the goal of securing a gold medal, competition for spots in the team is becoming increasingly fierce.

The SEA Games 33 organizing committee has confirmed that only U22 players will be allowed in men's football, ruling out the possibility of selecting overage players like Nguyen Xuan Son. Despite this limitation, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President, Tran Quoc Tuan, emphasized that, while the challenge is significant, the team's objective remains to reach the finals and aim for the highest achievement. To prepare for this, the VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik have been organizing intensive training camps since 2024 and will continue participating in high-quality tournaments, including the Four Nations Cup in China and the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in 2025.

In addition to key domestic players like Trung Kien, Khuat Van Khang, and Vi Hao, coach Kim is also considering several overseas Vietnamese talents. Notable candidates include Viktor Le, who plays for Ha Tinh FC, and Andrej An Khanh, currently with FK Trinec in the Czech Republic. These players are expected to bolster the squad, although the selection process is still ongoing, and each candidate must undergo thorough evaluation and secure release from their respective clubs before joining the team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's primary focus is on building a cohesive team structure and an optimal playing style to fulfill Vietnam's aspirations for gold at the SEA Games.