Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra has signed Decision No. 780 on behalf of the Prime Minister, awarding the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to four individuals for their coaching and leadership in guiding Vietnam's national men's U22 football team to the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, held in Thailand in 2025.
The four recipients of the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit are:
1. Kim Sang Sik, a South Korean national, head coach of Vietnam's national men's U22 football team
2. Yoon Dong Hun, a South Korean national, assistant coach of Vietnam's national men's U22 football team
3. Lee Jung Soo, a South Korean national, assistant coach of Vietnam's national men's U22 football team
4. Lee Woon Jae, a South Korean national, assistant coach of Vietnam's national men's U22 football team
Coach Kim Sang Sik leads Vietnam's U22 side to the gold medal at SEA Games 33 (Photo: VGP).
Vietnam's U22 team quickly established itself as one of the leading contenders at SEA Games 33 under Kim Sang Sik.
From the group stage, the team showed consistent form, beating opponents including Laos U22 and Malaysia U22 to finish top of the group with a perfect record.
In the semi-finals, Vietnam U22 faced the Philippines U22. Despite the challenges, Kim Sang Sik's players controlled the game well and secured a 2-0 win to book their place in the final.
The final against Thailand U22 was as dramatic as expected for one of the region's marquee fixtures. Despite falling behind, Vietnam U22 gradually regained control and levelled at 2-2. In extra time, composure and fitness helped the team score the decisive goal and seal a 3-2 victory, officially claiming the gold medal.