The Vietnamese men’s table tennis team has electrified fans and made headlines after a stunning 3-0 victory over Malaysia in the semifinals of the 33rd SEA Games, held on December 14, 2025. The win not only broke an eight-year drought for a finals appearance but also guaranteed Vietnam at least a silver medal in the fiercely competitive men’s team event—a feat last accomplished at SEA Games 29 in 2017.
Under the strategic guidance of coach Phan Huy Hoàng, Vietnam fielded a formidable lineup, with Nguyễn Anh Tú taking the lead in the opening match. Facing Malaysia’s Wong Qi Shen, Anh Tú stumbled early, dropping the first set 8-11. But the Vietnamese ace quickly regrouped, exploiting his opponent’s short-ball weaknesses and surging back to claim the next three sets, all by a commanding 11-5 margin. That 3-1 triumph set the tone for the rest of the squad, injecting confidence and momentum into the Vietnamese camp.
“Anh Tú’s victory was a huge morale boost for the whole team,” noted coach Phan Huy Hoàng, according to local media. “He showed great resilience and tactical awareness after the initial setback.”
The second match saw Đinh Anh Hoàng, a SEA Games 32 champion, square off against Chong Javen. Hoàng asserted his dominance early, winning the first two sets 11-9 and 11-6. Although Chong managed to snatch the third set, closing the gap to 1-2, Hoàng’s powerful rallies and sharp focus saw him take the fourth set and the match, sealing a 3-1 win. The Vietnamese lead stretched to 2-0, putting the team on the brink of a finals berth.
With the pressure mounting, veteran Nguyễn Đức Tuấn, a former SEA Games 31 champion, stepped up for the third match against Malaysia’s Danny Wang (also referred to as Ng Danny Wann Shin in some reports). The contest was a rollercoaster. Tuấn found himself in trouble, losing the opening two sets 10-12 and 9-11. But just when it seemed the momentum might swing Malaysia’s way, Tuấn’s experience and nerve kicked in. He stormed back in the third set, overwhelming Wang 11-1. The fourth set was a nail-biter, with both players trading points in a dramatic chase, but Tuấn edged it to force a decisive fifth set.
What happened next had the crowd on the edge of their seats: Tuấn delivered a flawless fifth set, shutting out Wang 11-0. That remarkable comeback sealed the match 3-2 and clinched a 3-0 overall victory for Vietnam, sending the team into jubilation. “Tuấn’s performance was nothing short of heroic,” exclaimed a Vietnamese commentator. “He showed the heart of a champion when it mattered most.”
This semifinal victory was more than just a win—it was a statement. Vietnam’s men’s table tennis team, which had not reached the finals since their gold-medal run in 2017, proved their mettle against a determined Malaysian side. The blend of seasoned champions and rising stars has clearly paid off, with the squad now eyeing a shot at reclaiming regional supremacy.
The stakes are high as the Vietnamese team prepares to face Singapore in the finals on the evening of December 14. Singapore, who dispatched the Philippines 3-1 in their own semifinal, are no strangers to the Vietnamese—these two teams met earlier in the group stage, where Singapore prevailed 3-0. But Vietnam’s players and coaches are brimming with confidence, eager for a rematch and redemption.
“We learned a lot from our previous encounter with Singapore,” said coach Phan Huy Hoàng. “We’re going into the final with a new strategy and a winning mindset.”
This run to the championship match is particularly sweet for Vietnam, given the challenges faced in recent years. The men’s team event is widely regarded as the most prestigious category in Southeast Asian table tennis, and Vietnam’s journey back to the top has been marked by both heartbreak and perseverance. The presence of two SEA Games champions, Tuấn and Hoàng, has been instrumental, lending both experience and inspiration to a squad that has matured since their last finals appearance.
For Nguyễn Anh Tú, the opening match hero, the victory is a testament to the team’s unity and preparation. “We trained hard for this moment,” Anh Tú told reporters. “Everyone gave their best, and the support from our coaches and fans made a huge difference.”
Vietnam’s women’s table tennis team, meanwhile, was eliminated in the group stage, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the nation’s male and female squads at this year’s Games. But all eyes are now on the men’s final, as anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
Beyond the immediate excitement, the team’s success has sparked renewed interest in table tennis across Vietnam. Social media buzzed with congratulatory messages, and sports analysts praised the squad’s tactical discipline and fighting spirit. “It’s been eight long years since we saw our men’s team in the finals,” wrote one commentator. “This achievement is a proud moment for Vietnamese sports.”
As the final approaches, Vietnam is guaranteed at least a silver medal in the men’s team event. But with momentum on their side and a shot at revenge against Singapore, the players are hungry for gold. The final, scheduled for later this evening, will not only decide the championship but could also mark a new chapter in Vietnamese table tennis history.
Whatever the outcome, the journey to this point has already captured the imagination of fans and reaffirmed Vietnam’s status as a regional table tennis powerhouse. The team’s blend of grit, talent, and determination has brought them to the brink of glory once more. As the sun sets on December 14, all of Vietnam will be watching, hoping, and cheering for their heroes to finish the job they started.
With the action set to resume in just a few hours, one thing’s for sure: Vietnamese table tennis is back in the spotlight, and the drama is far from over.
