Vietnam's opponent nearly pulled off an unbelievable shock against China.

Singapore, Vietnam's group opponent in the 2026 AFF Cup, came close to drawing with China in an international friendly.

During the international friendly match that took place on the evening of June 5, the Singapore national team failed to spring a surprise as they lost 1-2 to China. Despite facing a higher-rated opponent, the Southeast Asian side displayed a determined fighting spirit and caused many problems for the visitors throughout the 90 minutes.

Right from the kickoff, China quickly took possession and actively launched attacks. The difference in squad quality was evident in the 16th minute when Erjiniao capitalized on a teammate's pass to score with a precise header, putting the visitors ahead.

After taking an early lead, China maintained pressure and created several dangerous chances. Before the first half ended, the red-clad side was awarded a penalty following a handball by captain Hariss Harun in the box. From the spot, Zhang Yuning coolly beat the Singapore goalkeeper, sending China into halftime with a two-goal advantage.

In the second half, the match grew more intense as both teams engaged in fierce physical battles. Numerous collisions disrupted the game's flow, forcing the coaching staffs on both sides to make substitutions to address fitness and injury issues.

Despite facing many difficulties, Singapore never gave up hope. The home side's attacking efforts finally paid off in the 76th minute. From a quick counterattack, substitute Irfan Fandi unleashed a decisive left-footed shot, reducing the deficit to 1-2 and making the match more thrilling in the closing stages.

The remaining time saw relentless pressure from Singapore as they searched for an equalizer. However, China's defense held firm to secure the victory. The home side also picked up an additional yellow card in the 83rd minute when Hami Syahin committed a dangerous foul. The match ended with China winning 2-1, while Singapore could be somewhat pleased with their positive display against a higher-rated opponent.