U23 Vietnam Semi-final - U23 China: China takes a 2-0 lead

The first half was quite balanced. Surprisingly, U23 China boldly adopted an attacking approach. A notable moment came in the 30th minute when center-back Hiểu Minh suffered a serious injury while trying to stop a U23 China player. The injury forced the U23 Vietnam defender off the field, with Đức Anh substituted in for Hiểu Minh.

In this match, coach Kim Sang-sik continued to keep striker Đình Bắc on the bench.

Facing a well-organized and disciplined "concrete wall," U23 Vietnam will need more flexibility in the second half. Individual creativity, unexpected moves, and sharp awareness at key moments will be crucial.

Vietnamese football fans hope that coach Kim Sang-sik’s talent for player management will emerge in the second half to help the team reach the final. Striker Đình Bắc, currently playing for Hanoi Police Club, was brought on. This forward has been very effective as a substitute in the last three matches.

However, this hope has yet to materialize, as within nearly 10 minutes of the second half, U23 China managed to score two goals against U23 Vietnam and successfully blocked Vietnam’s attacks right from midfield.

Starting lineups of the two 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