South Korea U22 1-0 Vietnam U22, champions of Panda Cup 2025
Kim Myung Jun scored in the 34th minute, giving South Korea U22 a 1-0 victory over Vietnam U22 to win the Panda Cup 2025; in the other match played at the same time, China U22 drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan U22.
South Korea U22 defeated Vietnam U22 1-0 in Chengdu (China) on the afternoon of November 18th thanks to a 34th-minute goal by Kim Myung Jun, thus winning the Panda Cup 2025. At the same time, China U22 drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan U22, allowing South Korea to take the lead and claim the title.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Score | South Korea U22 1-0 Vietnam U22 |
| Goal scorer | Kim Myung Jun 34' |
| Location | Chengdu (China) |
| Time | Afternoon of November 18th |
The pivotal moment after the shock
Under pressure from their 0-2 defeat against China U22 in the second match, South Korea U22 reacted effectively. They started proactively, dominated the game, and quickly capitalized on their advantage with a goal from Kim Myung Jun in the 34th minute. Although they didn't extend their lead, the South Korean team controlled the tempo of the match enough to maintain their minimal advantage until the final whistle.
A revamped lineup yields immediate results.
According to News Nate, coach Lee Min Sung made significant changes to the starting lineup compared to the match against China U22. Only three players were retained: Shin Min Ha, Kim Dong Jin, and Kang Min Jun; the rest were adjusted. This extensive rotation helped the South Korea U22 team feel fresher, create pressure, and take an early lead.
Kim Myung Jun and the weight of goals
The striker, currently playing for Genk (Belgium), continues to assert his central role in the South Korean U22 team's system. According to Yonhap News, Kim Myung Jun is considered the team's best player in the tournament, having scored two of South Korea's three goals in the 2025 Panda Cup. His 34th-minute goal not only opened the scoring in the decisive match but also relieved the team's morale after criticism from the media and fans back home.
The group stage context and the boost from the other matches being played at the same time.
A victory against Vietnam U22 gave South Korea U22 the necessary points to take the top spot. In the other match played at the same time, China U22 drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan U22, a result that indirectly opened the door to the championship for South Korea. Even without scoring any more goals, the group standings continued to unfold favorably for Lee Min Sung's team.
A perspective from the South Korean media.
Yonhap News considers the 2025 Panda Cup title a positive stepping stone towards the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Daum Sports views it as a necessary springboard before a "very difficult" group with Iran, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan. The current U22 squad is expected to form the core of the South Korean U23 team at the tournament next January.
The numbers are noteworthy.
- Score: South Korea U22 1-0 Vietnam U22.
- Goal: Kim Myung Jun 34'.
- Goalscoring record: South Korea U22 scored 3 goals at the Panda Cup 2025; Kim Myung Jun contributed 2 goals.
- Performance by match: Lost 0-2 to China U22 in the second match, won against Vietnam U22 in the final match.
- Simultaneous match: China U22 drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan U22.
Impact after winning the championship
Winning the Panda Cup 2025 helped the South Korean U22 team relieve pressure and stabilize their mindset before their continental campaign. Effective rotation, establishing Kim Myung Jun as the main striker, and connecting the core with players like Shin Min Ha, Kim Dong Jin, and Kang Min Jun created a clear personnel foundation for the upcoming stages. When facing a group with Iran, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, the confidence gained from the Chengdu tournament will be a crucial asset.
