Coach Kim Sang-sik explains Vietnam U23's 0-3 defeat against China U23.
The defeat in the semi-finals of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship exposed weaknesses in the Vietnamese U23 defense. Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that Hieu Minh's injury was a major turning point.
The 0-3 defeat against China U23 in the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship was a shocking outcome for fans. Despite expectations of causing an upset, coach Kim Sang-sik's team was eliminated before the final after a match full of unexpected and unfavorable circumstances.
Adverse personnel turning points
Analyzing this heavy defeat, the South Korean strategist asserted that football always contains uncontrollable variables. One of the biggest losses was the disruption to the defensive system right from the start of the match.
According to Mr. Kim, Nguyen Hieu Minh's serious injury in the first half completely disrupted the tactical plan. The forced substitution in this crucial position significantly affected the cohesion of the Vietnam U23 defense, creating gaps for the opponent to exploit.
A chain reaction of psychological breakdowns.
In the second half, the situation worsened when the Vietnam U23 team conceded a goal too early. Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that this was the moment the team completely lost control of the game. This goal not only affected the score but also dealt a heavy blow to the confidence of the young players.
"Conceding an early goal in the second half caused the players to lose their composure. This led to a chain reaction, resulting in inaccurate ball handling and a failure to maintain the best rhythm of play," the Vietnam U23 coach shared. The difficulties piled up when Pham Ly Duc received a red card, leaving the team shorthanded in the final minutes.
Striving for honor in the third-place match.
Despite expressing disappointment and apologizing to the fans, coach Kim Sang-sik still praised his players' fighting spirit until the very last seconds. He affirmed that the journey at this continental tournament is not yet over.
The Vietnam U23 team will have a few days to recover and prepare for the third-place match against South Korea U23. This is not only a match to determine their position but also an opportunity for the "Golden Star Warriors" to regain their image and the trust of their fans. Lessons from the past, such as...Vietnam U23 and the memories of ChangzhouThis will be an important source of morale for the entire team to strive for a positive result against Kim's hometown team.
