Chinese media are wary of the 1.95m tall center-back of the Vietnam U22 team.
Page 163 assesses that Dinh Quang Kiet, at 1.95m tall, could make a difference for the Vietnam U22 team at the Panda Cup 2025, especially in aerial duels, as many key players of the China U22 team are under 1.90m.
Vietnam U22 enters the Panda Cup 2025 with a readily apparent advantage: the 1.95m height of young central defender Dinh Quang Kiet. Page 163 (China) suggests this could be a factor forcing China U22 to adjust their aerial defense and set-piece strategy.
Key highlights: the 1.95m "defensive tower" and the aerial threat.
An article from 163.com states that the Vietnam U22 team can maximize the advantage of Dinh Quang Kiet in corner kicks and free kicks. The original statement reads: "The Vietnam U22 team can utilize Dinh Quang Kiet's height advantage to create pressure in set-piece situations." For a 1.95m tall center-back, the advantage in reaching the ball's trajectory and his aerial reach are clearly different at the U22 level.
Dinh Quang Kiet (18 years old, from HAGL) was once a key player for the Vietnam U17 team before switching from defensive midfielder to center-back. His adaptability to the position, coupled with his physical foundation, has led Chinese media to describe him as a potential "golden shield" for youth levels.
The context of the 2025 Panda Cup and its key competitors.
Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam U22 team is meticulously preparing for the 2025 Panda Cup in Chengdu, where they will face China U22, Uzbekistan U22, and South Korea U22. According to 163, the physical improvement of the young Vietnamese players is noteworthy, especially among the central defenders who are over 1.90m tall – a rare occurrence in the past.
Page 163 quotes a noteworthy headline stating that Vietnam's new center-back "could pose a challenge" to players Xiang Yuwang, Wang Yudong, and Kuai Jiwen. In China's U22 defense, names like Peng Xiao, Liu Haofan, and Zhang Yixuan are all mentioned as being under 1.90m tall, putting them at a disadvantage in aerial duels. Even forwards like Zhu Pengyu or Liu Chengyu might struggle in aerial challenges.
Comparing physique and aerial combat hotspots.
At the U22 level, a difference of 5-10 cm is enough to change the way set pieces are organized: marking, starting positions, and the area attacking the near/far post. With a "tower" like Dinh Quang Kiet, the U22 Vietnam team has additional options: drawing the opponent's defense back, creating space in the second line, or aiming for a direct high ball into the 5.5-meter box.
163's analysis emphasizes the systemic aspect: if the opposing team lacks defenders of the required height, they will have to resort to double marking or change their zonal defense. This is a tactical advantage that the Vietnam U22 team can proactively exploit.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's approach: discipline, balance of technical skill and physical fitness.
According to 163, coach Kim Sang-sik is highly regarded for his ability to build a disciplined team, prioritizing a balance between technical skill and physical fitness. His presence alongside legendary goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae in the coaching staff has resulted in a young but well-organized and modern team. In this picture, a 1.95m tall center-back increases the range of options: from pressing from the second ball to building play from the back after aerial duels.
Personnel diversity: Viktor Lê, Vadim Nguyễn, and physical depth.
Besides Dinh Quang Kiet, the Vietnam U22 team also has two naturalized players of Russian origin: Viktor Le and Vadim Nguyen. According to assessments from Chinese media, if they maximize their physical strength and aerial style of play, the Vietnam U22 team has the potential to spring surprises against strong opponents at the Panda Cup 2025.
A broader significance for Vietnamese youth football.
Page 163 concludes: “The emergence of ‘defensive towers’ like Dinh Quang Kiet is helping the Vietnam U22 team get closer to the level of top Asian teams. This will be an opponent that the China U22 team must be especially wary of.” This is not just a warning for a friendly tournament, but also reflects the trend of developing physical fitness in youth training in Vietnam.
With this rate of progress, 163 believes that the player born in 2007 could become a "strategic weapon" for Vietnam not only in the Panda Cup 2025 but also in the U23 Asian Championship 2026 finals.
Related: Positive signals from Vietnam U23 team
Related articles indicate that Khuat Van Khang recently scored a spectacular goal against PVF CAND in Round 11 of the V-League 2025/26, bringing good news ahead of the Vietnam U23 team's training camp. In the overall picture, the young players are showing their readiness, from individual abilities to physical fitness.
