Bui Vi Hao returns, U22 Vietnam wins U22 China 1-0
Entering the field in the 74th minute of the Panda Cup 2025, Bui Vi Hao created a turning point with an 84th minute invasion that was fouled but there was no penalty. Against U22 Uzbekistan and U22 Korea, the opportunity for SEA Games 33 is wide open.
In the 84th minute of the Panda Cup 2025, Bui Vi Hao entered the penalty area, passed Liu Hao Fan and was fouled but there was no penalty whistle. Just 10 minutes after being sent onto the field by acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh in the 74th minute, the striker of Becamex HCMC created the biggest moment of the match, framing the comeback in the 1-0 victory of U22 Vietnam against U22 China.
Immediate Impressions: Energy, Speed, Mutation
Although he only played for more than 15 minutes, Vi Hao managed to leave his mark with his powerful dribbling, his ability to create breakthroughs and his clever movements behind the defense. The situation in the 84th minute showed his familiar strengths: his speed, one-on-one handling and his boldness in the 16m50 area. If the referee had handled the situation correctly, U22 Vietnam could have had a penalty to end the match in a more convincing way.
In his return after nearly eight months away from the pitch due to injury, the most valuable thing Vi Hao brought was not only a controversial move, but also the feeling of readiness of an attacker who knows how to create his own opportunities. That performance was a clear signal that he was in good enough shape and playing rhythm to re-enter the competition at the team level.
Tactical analysis: smart movement, varied finishing
Vi Hao's highlight lies in the way he chooses the time to accelerate and sweep across the gaps to separate from the defenders. His touches towards the goal, combined with his fierceness in the dispute, make the Chinese U22 defense retreat deep and be stretched. His diverse finishing ability makes him a flexible attacking option for U22 Vietnam, suitable for the requirement to create breakthroughs in balanced matches.
In terms of intensity, Vi Hao's fiery fighting spirit helps him quickly adapt to the team's pressing requirements. This is especially useful in the context of U22 Vietnam needing more late-game acceleration to maintain pressure and create decisive situations like the 84th-minute move.
Next two tests: U22 Uzbekistan and U22 Korea
Panda Cup 2025 still has two strong opponents, U22 Uzbekistan and U22 Korea. This is a golden opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate Vi Hao's best condition through different contexts: intensity of competition, density of pressing and requirements for handling the ball in a narrow space. If he maintains his form, he can become a spearhead to add quality to U22 Vietnam, a team that already has many players with international experience.
Missed the SEA Games twice and the turning point of faith
Vi Hao's young career had two unfortunate twists. He missed the 31st SEA Games because he had to compete with more experienced strikers like Tien Linh, Manh Dung or Van Tung under coach Park Hang-seo. At the 32nd SEA Games, coach Troussier unexpectedly removed him for unsuitable reasons, even though Vi Hao was the young striker with the most goals in the 2023-2024 V-League.
Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the story has changed. He has placed his trust in Vi Hao in both the youth team and the national team. At the AFF Cup 2024, he was given a regular starting position, at times playing more than Van Khang or goalkeeper Trung Kien - the current pillars of the U22 Vietnam team. The continuous trust has helped Vi Hao regain his confidence and motivation, laying the foundation for his return at the Panda Cup 2025.
Impact on the 33rd SEA Games goals
Vietnam U22 aims to win the 33rd SEA Games gold medal in December 2025 in Thailand. The current squad is highly regarded, with many players having won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. In that picture, Vi Hao's timely return could be an important piece: a striker who is both ambitious and has international experience, enough to make a difference in tense matches.
Above all, the 2025 Panda Cup is a true measure of Wei Hao’s recovery and game-playing form. If he continues to maintain the quality of his runs, remains sharp in one-on-one situations and maintains his intensity, a SEA Games berth is not far off. His 84th-minute strike against China U22 was just the start — the rest of the tournament will tell how ready Wei Hao is.
