Korean media reports: Vietnam U23 team has reached continental level despite being eliminated in the semi-finals.

The dramatic journey of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship has just experienced a low point with a loss to China U23 in the semi-finals. However, instead of criticism, the South Korean media has expressed admiration for the transformation that coach Kim Sang Sik has brought to Vietnamese football. The defeat at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium is not just a result, but also a measure of the team's new position on the map of youth football in Asia.

The turning point stemming from injuries and a tactical shift for China.

Entering the semi-final as the favorites thanks to an impressive winning streak, the Vietnam U23 team was expected to easily overcome the "Great Wall". However, the reality on the field unfolded in a completely different way. Post-match statistics revealed the surprising inferiority of Coach Kim Sang Sik's players, as they only managed 7 shots on goal, less than half of their opponents'.

One of the key reasons for the collapse of the defense was the serious injury to key central defender Nguyen Hieu Minh in the 30th minute. Sports Chosun commented: "Vietnam gradually faltered after losing their most reliable defender. The absence of Hieu Minh disrupted the team's structure, leading to their complete collapse in the second half."

Furthermore, the boldness of the Chinese U23 coaching staff was also a surprising factor. Instead of the deep defensive style of previous matches, they proactively pushed their formation higher and rotated six positions compared to the quarter-final. Maintaining excellent physical fitness and a disciplined defense helped China keep a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive match, completely shutting down Vietnam's attacking options.

Kim Sang Sik's mark: A confirmation of his new status.

Although the 15-match winning streak in official tournaments has ended, the legacy built by coach Kim Sang Sik in this short period is undeniable. Sports Seoul emphasized that missing out on the final cannot diminish the rapid progress of Vietnamese football. Victories against West Asian powerhouses like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan in the group stage and quarter-finals are the clearest evidence of their rise to continental prominence.

The well-structured attacking play from the back, the ability to smoothly transition between phases, and the confidence displayed when in possession against stronger opponents are highlights highly praised by South Korean experts. The Newspim newspaper commented: "Kim's statement that Vietnamese football has surpassed Southeast Asia is not empty talk. They are playing modern football with their own unique identity."

Furthermore, coach Kim Sang Sik's efforts to integrate into the local culture and maximize the team's collective strength have fostered a resilient fighting spirit. Despite limitations in physical fitness and endurance in high-intensity matches, the technical skills and tactical thinking of this generation of players have made significant progress compared to previous periods.

A highly anticipated clash in the third-place match.

This defeat means that the Vietnam U23 team will enter the third-place match at an Asian U23 Championship for the first time, and their opponent will be none other than the South Korea U23 team. This is considered an emotional and somewhat "ironic" encounter for coach Kim Sang Sik as he faces his home country's team.

Korean media are calling this a match to defend the honor of both footballing nations. While the Vietnam U23 team wants to prove that their loss to China was just an accident, the South Korea U23 team is also striving to recover from their defeat against Japan. The match, taking place on the evening of January 23rd, promises to be a tense battle of wits, where the Vietnam U23 team has one last chance to assert its position as one of the top four strongest teams in the continent this year.

Looking at the bigger picture, this year's tournament has opened up new hopes for the Olympic dream and bigger competitions in the future. Although they couldn't replicate the miracle of Changzhou in 2018, the admiration from the international media is a well-deserved reward for the tireless efforts of coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.