Chinese media analyzes the strength of the Vietnamese U23 team ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup semi-finals.
Titan Sport praised Vietnam's football strategy of playing on the same board, emphasizing that the 80-day suspension of the V-League was key to progress.
At 10:30 PM today (January 20th), the Vietnam U23 team will play in the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship against China U23 in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of this crucial match, the Saudi Arabian media has offered insightful analyses of the remarkable progress of Coach Kim Sang Sik's team, particularly expressing admiration for Vietnam's comprehensive football development strategy.
The strategy is for the whole country to play on the same chessboard.
Under the powerful headline: "The Rise of Vietnamese Football. The Entire Football System Playing on the Same Chessboard," Titan Sport highlighted the formidable position of the "Golden Star Warriors." The Vietnam U23 team is currently the only team to maintain a perfect record of four wins in all four matches since the start of the tournament. This also marks the second time since the miraculous achievement in Changzhou in 2018 that Vietnamese football has reached the top four strongest teams in the continent at the U23 level.
According to analysis by Chinese experts, this success is not due to chance but is the result of a meticulously planned tournament. The author of the article on Titan Sport points out that the foundation for the current impressive performance is the high level of unity between the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the professional clubs.
The sacrifices of the V-League and the long-term roadmap.
Notably, to prioritize the goals of the youth national team, the V-League made a bold decision to suspend the entire tournament for approximately 80 days starting in May 2025. Sacrificing the economic interests and match schedules of the clubs has allowed Coach Kim Sang Sik's star players to have maximum time to focus on training.
This roadmap was scientifically calculated through high-level competitive tournaments such as the Panda Cup and the SEA Games 33 before entering the U23 Asian Championship finals. "The Vietnam U23 team had the longest preparation time and the most comprehensive support," commented Titan Sport. This unity helped the players hone their individual skills and execute tactics seamlessly.
Impressive statistics for Vietnam U23 team at the tournament.
- Number of wins:4 matches (the only team to achieve a 100% win rate).
- Historical achievements:This is the second time they've reached the semi-finals in eight years.
- Specific preparation time:An 80-day break from domestic leagues.
Following a successful training camp in Qatar, the Vietnam U23 team is demonstrating readiness both physically and mentally. Facing China U23 tonight, coach Kim Sang Sik's team has a historic opportunity to once again assert their leading position in the region and reach continental heights.
