BANGKOK, Thailand – October 19, 2025

By Izhar Safuan

The road to the gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men's football tournament was officially mapped out today, as the group stage draw in Bangkok produced several compelling matchups and a clear-cut "Group of Death."

The men's U-23 tournament, set to run from December 3 to 18 across three host cities in Thailand (Songkhla, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok), will see the region's best young talent vie for the most coveted prize in ASEAN football.

Vietnam and Malaysia Renew Fierce Rivalry

The region's other great football rivalry will take center stage in Group B, where two-time consecutive gold medal winners Vietnam were drawn with perennial challengers Malaysia. They are joined by Laos, who are eager to shed their underdog status.

For Malaysia's Harimau Muda, led by head coach Nafuzi Zain, the group presents a clear mission: overcome Vietnam, the team that has dominated the last two tournaments. With both teams eyeing the top spot, their head-to-head clash in Chiang Mai is already being highlighted as a must-watch encounter. Vietnam, fresh off winning the ASEAN U-23 Championship earlier this year, has been undergoing intensive preparation, including international friendlies, under coach Kim Sang Sik as they aim for a historic three-peat.