Ukrainian media predicts that Vietnam U23 will defeat China U23 to reach the Asian final.

Vietnam U23 enters the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship as the most well-rounded team in the tournament so far. According to analysis from the Ukrainian media outlet Tips, Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad possesses an ideal balance between attacking strength and defensive discipline, creating a clear advantage over a pragmatic Chinese U23 team.

The contrast in performance between the two extremes.

Looking back at their journey to the semi-finals, the difference between the two teams was enormous. Vietnam U23 was the only team to maintain a perfect record of four wins in their previous matches. After advancing from the group stage with victories against Jordan (2-0), Kyrgyzstan (2-1), and Saudi Arabia (1-0), coach Kim Sang-sik's team continued to defeat UAE 3-2 in a dramatic quarter-final match.

In total, Vietnam's attack has scored 8 goals, averaging 2 goals per match. Conversely, Coach Antonio Puche's U23 China team has progressed deep into the tournament based on an extremely pragmatic playing style. They have only scored a single goal in 4 matches (a 1-0 win against Australia) and have had 3 goalless draws against Iraq, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

Dominating in terms of professional performance indicators.

Based on statistical data, the Tips website points out the superiority of the Vietnam U23 team in their ability to impose their playing style. Specifically, Vietnamese players average 10.5 shots per match, almost double the 5.5 of their opponents. Ball control is also a major plus, with Vietnam's pass accuracy rate reaching 79%, while China only reached 72%.

In terms of personnel, the midfield duo of Nguyen Thai Son and Khuat Van Khang are considered key to the team's playing style. Vietnam's midfield not only excels at controlling the tempo but also excels at transitional situations, a crucial element in breaking through the opponent's defensive wall.

The Achilles' heel of the Chinese U23 team's habit of committing fouls.

Although the Chinese U23 team is described as physically strong and able to handle pressure well, they are revealing a major weakness due to their habit of committing fouls. Statistics show that the team has committed 55 fouls in their recent matches. This is considered a "fatal flaw" when facing the Vietnamese U23 team.

A Ukrainian newspaper warned that committing numerous fouls in dangerous areas against an opponent with a diverse and effective set-piece system like Vietnam could lead to the Chinese U23 team's net being breached at any moment. Based on these points, Tips predicts that Vietnam U23 will win 1-0 or by at least one goal and keep a clean sheet to advance directly to the championship match.