Chinese newspaper: "Money cannot buy success like Vietnam"

"The referee awarded a penalty to Qatar in the U23 Asian semi-final, but Vietnam still swept away their opponents," reporter Ky Ngoc Duong wrote onSina"In Asian football, money cannot bring success like Vietnam, who have focused a lot on youth training in recent years. The Vietnam Football Federation has begun to enjoy the sweet fruits after seven years of building and completing a youth training center."

On the way to the final of the U23 Asia, Vietnam defeated Australia and Qatar, the "giants" of regional football, with developed economies. They are also one step ahead of Vietnam in terms of youth training system.

ReporterSinaimpressed with this special point. Ky Ngoc Duong continued writing: "What has the Chinese Football Association done in recent years? Money has been spent drop by drop, and the answer to that method has been clearly shown in this tournament. Think carefully, if you do not want to be left behind."

Agreeing with this view, reporter Tham Vi analyzed: "The development of youth football and the level of the national championship are almost unrelated. China has done many things to awaken domestic football, with the addition of many world-class stars, but at the U23 level, they bring nothing but money and commission fees to brokers."

Reporter Dong Vu Tri stated: "Vietnam reaching the final of the U23 Asia is not a coincidence. Nearly 10 years since this country started to develop young players, today they have achieved success. God does not disappoint those who have the will, it is only a matter of sooner or later."

Besides Vietnam's success in the U23 Asian Cup finals, Southeast Asian football also made a big splash in the AFC Champions League qualifiers when Ceres–Negros (Philippines) beat Brisbane Roar (Australia) 3-2 on January 23. In the play-off round,Ceres–Negros will face Tianjin Quanjian, the rich team of the Chinese Super League.