Coach Kim Sang-sik and the challenge of breaking down the Chinese U23 team's defensive wall in the Asian semi-finals.
Vietnam U23 faces an immense challenge against China U23's impeccable defense, where coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical prowess will be key to determining the outcome of the match.
The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final between Vietnam U23 and China U23 is not simply a competition for a place in the final, but also a dramatic clash between two contrasting football philosophies. While Coach Kim Sang-sik's team is thriving with its technical style of play, China U23 reached the top four thanks to an extremely pragmatic defensive system.
Antonio Puche's negative defensive style
Under the guidance of Spanish strategist Antonio Puche, the Chinese U23 team has become an extremely difficult team to beat. Although their playing style is considered "negative" by some experts, its effectiveness is undeniable. With a deep 5-3-2 formation, they are willing to cede the entire midfield area to their opponents.
The statistics clearly illustrate this pragmatism: the Chinese U23 team consistently controlled possession below 30%, yet their unbeaten record reached 91%. Even more remarkably, after four matches in this year's finals, the "Dragons'" defense remained completely clean. The brilliance of goalkeeper Li Hao, coupled with the superior physique of the central defenders, transformed their own third of the pitch into a "forest of people," posing a significant challenge to any attempt at penetration.
What tactics can be used to break down an unconceded defense?
Despite being described as an impenetrable "concrete block," Antonio Puche's system is not without weaknesses. Analysis of the match against Uzbekistan U23 shows that when subjected to high-intensity ball circulation, the Chinese players began to show signs of fatigue and a loss of concentration in the final minutes of the second half. This was the golden opportunity for Vietnam U23 to deliver the decisive blow.
Coach Kim Sang-sik will likely instruct his players to maintain a high-speed, one-touch passing game. Short, quick one-two passes will be an effective weapon to break down deep defensive structures. Furthermore, the ability to create breakthroughs from the flanks, similar to how Van Thuan and Minh Phuc combined to score at the 2025 Panda Cup, will be a challenge that the Chinese U23 team must be wary of.
Patience is the key to success.
In a knockout match, impatience can lead to fatal mistakes. The Vietnam U23 team needs to demonstrate composure by controlling the tempo, stretching the opponent's formation, and waiting for moments of defensive error. A free-flowing style of play, prioritizing ball control and quick turnovers, will give the red-shirted players an advantage in terms of possession.
With thorough preparation and the momentum from past victories, fans have every right to believe in a dramatic scenario, where coach Kim Sang-sik and his players will find the final loophole to advance straight to the final in glory.
