China U22 coach talks about the 0-1 loss to Vietnam U22

The 0-1 defeat in the opening match of the 2025 Panda Cup at home made coach Antonio Puche clearly dissatisfied. He considered the match between U22 China and U22 Vietnam to be balanced, but admitted that the opponent took advantage of the decisive moment in a tight match.

Coach Antonio Puche's views after the 0-1 loss

Evaluating his players' performance, the Spanish coach said: "I was not satisfied with some technical issues, but I cannot analyze them in detail here. Overall, this was a very balanced match between the two teams. Both teams played well."

Regarding the deciding factor, he emphasized: "U22 Vietnam scored and they were a bit luckier. If we look at the overall development of the match, the score could have been 1-0 in favor of any team, or even 0-0."

Despite not achieving the desired result, Puche still acknowledged the efforts: "Although the result was not as expected, we all saw the players' tireless efforts. China U22 still has certain shortcomings, but I am very satisfied with the spirit and effort they showed on the field."

Lack of force and special context

The 53-year-old coach pointed out an important reason for the defeat: the incomplete squad due to the time of the National Sports Festival, plus injuries before and during the match. He made his priorities clear: "There were players who got injured right in the match, and there were also those who had been injured before. In my role, I have to prioritize protecting their future careers instead of destroying them."

Professional perspective: small margin of error in a balanced game

From Coach Puche’s own assessment, this is a match with a very small margin of error. When the two teams create a balanced game, a specific moment – ​​a more precise finishing situation, a better ball handling – can be the boundary between 0-0 and 1-0. U22 Vietnam grasped that moment, while U22 China lacked sharpness at the decisive moment.

In the context of a depleted force, the way U22 China places emphasis on morale and personnel safety shows the priority of risk management. This helps limit long-term losses but also means it is difficult to maintain optimal intensity and quality at times when breakthroughs are needed.

Attitude and message from the coaching staff

Emphasizing the protection of players' careers, Coach Puche's message puts the players at the center. At the U22 level, where development and preparation for bigger goals are developed, this choice reflects deliberate caution. It also explains why China U22 does not take risks with key players who are not yet in the best physical condition.

The meaning of the opening defeat of Panda Cup 2025

Losing 0-1 in the opening match at home is always difficult to accept, especially when the team has prepared well. However, according to the coaching staff, the performance is not too different and the fighting spirit is still the bright spot. From that foundation, stabilizing the personnel, limiting injuries and converting the balanced game into efficiency at decisive moments will be the next steps that U22 China needs to aim for in the rest of the tournament.

CTVX