Laos coach aims to beat either Vietnam or Malaysia at SEA Games

This year’s SEA Games men’s football competition features nine teams split into three groups. Teams will play in a round-robin format, with the three group winners and the best second-placed team advancing to the semifinals.

"With this format, if we win one match and draw another, we have a good chance of reaching the next round," Ha said at a pre-match press conference held at Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 2.

"It won’t be easy to get to the semifinals, but we’ve done our best and prepared thoroughly."

Laos head coach Ha Hyeok-jun attends the pre-match press conference ahead of their Group B opener against Vietnam at the 33rd SEA Games, held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec. 2, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The South Korean coach opened the press conference by quoting a Chinese proverb: "Man proposes, Heaven disposes." He added, "Only Heaven knows the result of tomorrow’s match against Vietnam, or the next one against Malaysia."

To prepare the U22 team, Ha promoted several players to the senior national squad to help them gain experience and improve their tactical awareness.

The team also include two key players currently playing in Thailand: Midfielder Sayfon Keohanam from Suphanburi and defender Phoutthavong Sangvilay from BG Pathum United, both expected to have a strong impact.

Coach Ha also emphasized the value of Laos’s four recent losses to Vietnam under coach Kim Sang-sik. "Facing Vietnam four times has made our team tougher and more resilient," he said. "Coach Kim has done a great job building a solid team."

Laos have lost all 10 previous SEA Games matches against Vietnam. However, Ha expressed hope for a surprise result, especially as a way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Laos’ National Day (Dec. 2, 1975 – Dec. 2, 2025).

The Vietnam vs. Laos match will take place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 3, and will be reported live on VnExpress International.