U23 Vietnam was eliminated in the semifinals by U23 China

Compared to the lineup in the quarterfinal win over U23 UAE, coach Kim Sang-sik made only one change to the starting eleven. Forward Công Phương replaced Viktor Lê to start alongside Lê Phát and Ngọc Mỹ in the attack.

Notably, this was the first time in the tournament that coach Kim Sang-sik deployed two very young wingers, Công Phương (20 years old) and Lê Phát (19 years old), playing together upfront.

Meanwhile, U23 China made as many as six changes from their quarterfinal starting lineup.

U23 Vietnam’s defensive and midfield structure remained unchanged. Goalkeeper Trần Trung Kiên guarded the net, with center backs Nguyễn Hiểu Minh, Nguyễn Nhật Minh, and Phạm Lý Đức in front. Fullbacks Văn Khang and Minh Phúc covered the flanks, while the central midfield duo remained the familiar faces Thái Sơn and Xuân Bắc.

U23 China reached the semifinals for the first time with an extremely tough defensive style and had not conceded any goals. In contrast, U23 Vietnam entered the semifinals with a brave playing style, daring to attack stronger opponents to secure victories.

The first half was fairly balanced. However, it was somewhat surprising that U23 China took the initiative to play offensively.

The most notable moment for U23 Vietnam in the first half was when defender Hiểu Minh suffered a serious injury in the 30th minute after attempting to block a U23 China player. The injury forced the Vietnamese center back to leave the field.

Faced with the well-organized and disciplined defensive “concrete block” of U23 China, U23 Vietnam could not break through the opponent’s defensive system.

The two teams were tied 0-0 at the end of the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, coach Kim Sang-sik decided to bring his top striker Đình Bắc onto the field. However, before Vietnam’s attack could become effective, U23 China scored the opening goal in the 48th minute. From a corner kick, player Peng Xiao headed the ball past goalkeeper Trung Kiên.

Just five minutes after the opening goal, U23 China doubled their lead. Xiang Yuwang executed a beautiful turn and shot that goalkeeper Trung Kiên could not stop.

In the 73rd minute, U23 Vietnam’s goal was shaken again. However, after a VAR review, the referee disallowed the goal for U23 China due to an offside position by the Chinese player.

However, a setback for U23 Vietnam was defender Lý Đức receiving a red card from the referee after an unsportsmanlike action during a dispute with a Chinese player.

At the 90+1 minute, U23 Vietnam had a chance to reduce the deficit when Thanh Nhàn leapt to head a pass from a teammate. However, U23 China’s goalkeeper Li Hao made an excellent save.

In the 90+7 minute, U23 China scored their third goal, credited to Wang Yudong. This was the final goal of the match.

The match ended with a 3-0 victory for U23 China.

U23 China will face U23 Japan in the final on January 24, while U23 Vietnam will compete for third place against U23 South Korea on the evening of January 23.

Starting lineups of both teams
U23 Vietnam: Trung Kiên, Lý Đức, Hiểu Minh (Đức Anh 33'), Nhật Minh, Minh Phúc, Xuân Bắc, Thái Sơn, Văn Khang, Ngọc Mỹ, Công Phương, Lê Phát
U23 China: Li Hao, Hu Hetao, Umidjan Yusup, Liu Haofan, Xiang Yuwang, Kuai Jiwen, Wang Bohao, Peng Xiao, Chen Zeshi, Bao Shengxin, Yang Xi