SEA Games 33: Vietnam Men's Futsal and the Chance to Upgrade Their Medal

Positive signs from preparations, especially the morale boost from the FIFA rankings, have opened a new chapter for Coach Diego Giustozzi and his squad. Vietnam Futsal has risen to 20th in the world, the highest position ever since FIFA officially introduced the futsal rankings.

Specifically, Vietnam currently ranks 2nd in Southeast Asia, just behind Thailand (11th worldwide) and four spots above Indonesia. In Asia, Vietnam is 4th, following Iran, Thailand, and Japan. These figures are not just statistics but recognition of a well-planned, persistent, and clearly directed investment over many years.

However, a high ranking doesn’t guarantee an easy path at SEA Games 33. The Vietnam futsal team will face intense competition pressure, especially from Thailand. The host nation has won all 5 SEA Games titles since futsal was introduced in 2007. Indonesia is also rapidly improving and is considered the toughest rival by Coach Diego Giustozzi. Vietnam previously lost to Indonesia in the final of the 2024 Southeast Asian Futsal Championship.

The single round-robin format with 4 matches in 4 consecutive days is an extremely tough physical test. Even Coach Diego Giustozzi, who won the 2016 Futsal World Cup with Argentina, expressed dissatisfaction with the schedule that could drain players’ stamina. By contrast, Thailand and Indonesia benefit from breaks between matches to recover.

In this context, the Argentine coach regards every match for Vietnam as a final.

Coach Diego Giustozzi emphasized the importance of the opening match against Malaysia at 16:00 today (December 16). He believes this may be the toughest game due to the psychological pressure of the first day. Malaysia is no longer an easy opponent, having faced Vietnam multiple times and knowing their playing style very well.

Regarding the squad, Vietnam finalized the roster without two key veterans, Trần Thái Huy and Châu Đoàn Phát. Nevertheless, this opens opportunities for young, eager players like Công Đại, Ngọc Ánh, Minh Quang, and Ngọc Linh, all currently performing strongly at their clubs.

Another highlight is Minh Trí’s return after a long recovery from a ligament injury. Once Vietnam’s top striker, Minh Trí promises to add quality attacking options alongside Thịnh Phát. Notably, Đa Hải, a talented 20-year-old, is seen as a major hope up front with his toughness, composure, and rare finishing ability.

The squad Coach Diego Giustozzi brought to Thailand is deep and balanced. He affirmed the team’s strong mental state, ready to face pressure and unafraid of any regional rival. The message to fans is clear: Vietnam Futsal may not guarantee results, but will definitely compete with full passion and heart.

SEA Games 33 is the stage where Vietnam Futsal longs to rewrite history. In the last 4 SEA Games, the team earned 2 silver medals (2011, 2013) and 2 bronze medals (2017, 2021). With their new FIFA ranking, thorough preparation, and confidence from the coaching staff, Coach Diego Giustozzi and his players have every reason to dream of a new milestone in their regional and continental journey.