Vietnam U23 and Positive Signals from a Loss

Over two months ago, Vietnam lost to China 0-3 in the semifinals of the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. However, in this rematch, with both teams having changed their personnel, the match dynamics and the final outcome were different.

Vietnam had only three players who participated in the U23 Asian Cup—Cao Van Binh, midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong, and Le Van Thuan—starting in the rematch. On the other side, as many as six players from China's U23 squad that reached the Asian Cup final appeared on the field.

The Vietnam U23 squad participating in this tournament mainly consists of young U21 players with limited international experience, and their guide is assistant coach Dinh Hong Vinh, who replaced head coach Kim Sang Sik who is currently with the national team competing in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

The weakness in experience of Vietnam U23 became evident in the first two matches. The students of coach Dinh Hong Vinh led but were equalized by North Korea at the end of the match. In the second match, despite conceding an early goal to Thailand in the opening seconds, Vietnam U23 could not find an equalizing goal despite great effort. And in the final match against China U23, both of these details reappeared.

As the side approaching the match proactively and with a relaxed mentality, Vietnam U23 was the team that created the first dangerous situations. But that game state was not maintained for long. With a short preparation period after receiving China's sudden invitation (replacing U23 Iran), the connection between Vietnam U23's lines was not as smooth as their performance in the U23 Asian Cup.

Meanwhile, with advantages in physique and coordination, China U23 quickly split Vietnam U23's lines and regained ball control. For most of the first half, Vietnam U23 had to play with a low defensive block.

The only goal of the match came in the final minutes of the first half, stemming from Vietnam U23's not tight enough defense, allowing Du Yuezheng the opportunity to shoot from over 30 meters, a looping ball that went over goalkeeper Cao Van Binh's reach.

But that was also the best that China U23 could do. The advantage of leading was not utilized by the host team; conversely, they were completely surprised by how Vietnam U23 dominated the second half after coach Dinh Hong Vinh pushed the formation higher, using short passes with extremely quick tempo, penetrating deep into China U23's two flanks, causing the host's somewhat simplistic playing system to fall into a passive state continuously. Opportunities were successively created through the efforts of Cong Phuong and Dang Duong.

Playing better as the match progressed, combined with an excellent fitness foundation, Vietnam U23 had nearly the last 20 minutes playing an "all-out" style against China U23, accepting the risk of counterattacks but in return delivering an energetic brand of football reminiscent of what they had shown in Saudi Arabia not long ago.

Unfortunately, the efforts of the young players only resulted in situations that forced China U23's goalkeeper to work hard. No goals were scored in the second half, and Vietnam U23 left the tournament with two losses and one draw.

But precisely this match full of resilience against China U23 sent out positive signals. With a squad still in the testing phase, the match results are not the ultimate destination. Friendly matches rubbing against strong opponents in the CFA China Team 2026 tournament provide very high professional value for Vietnam U23, thereby giving head coach Kim Sang Sik more basis for evaluation, selection of personnel, and subsequently refining the squad towards future goals and international tournaments, including the upcoming Asiad 20.