U22 Vietnam defeated U22 China 1-0, controversial penalty in the 84th minute
U22 Vietnam won 1-0 to open the 2025 Panda Cup: Pham Minh Phuc scored in the 80th minute; in the 84th minute, referee Shen Yinhao refused to award a penalty after a push from behind with Bui Vi Hao.
Vietnam U22 opened the 2025 Panda Cup with a 1-0 victory over China U22. Pham Minh Phuc's goal in the 80th minute decided the match, before the climax came in the 84th minute with a controversial move when referee Shen Yinhao refused to award Vietnam U22 a penalty despite Bui Vi Hao being pushed down in the penalty area.
Turning point in the 80th minute: Minh Phuc punishes mistakes
The game was initially balanced, U22 China had more possession of the ball but did not make a difference. U22 Vietnam patiently defended, waiting for the right moment to counterattack. In the 80th minute, the turning point appeared: taking advantage of a mistake by the home team's defense, Pham Minh Phuc rushed in and finished close to the goal, giving U22 Vietnam a 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeper Cao Van Binh withstood the pressure and missed opportunities of the home team.
China U22 created dangerous situations early on. In the 6th minute, He Yiran headed the ball just wide of the goal. In the 28th minute, goalkeeper Cao Van Binh made an excellent save in a one-on-one situation, maintaining the balance. Vietnam U22 not only defended firmly but also had opportunities: in the 43rd minute, Thanh Nhan escaped but could not beat the opponent's goalkeeper.
84th minute decision: controversy without VAR
Immediately after the opening goal, U22 Vietnam continued to organize a coherent development from home field. Le Van Thuan made a delicate pass for Bui Vi Hao to escape into the penalty area. When preparing to shoot, the Vietnamese striker was pushed from behind by captain Liu HaoFan. The Chinese referee, Shen Yinhao, let the match continue and did not blow a penalty.
Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's reaction on the sidelines was fierce. On social media, many Chinese fans also admitted their mistakes: "11m penalty 100%, thank goodness there was no VAR in this match", "How can you rush into your opponent from behind with such a rough move?"; there were even sarcastic comments: "It's simple, everyone, the referee is Chinese!".
Tactical highlights: tight defense, boost from Bui Vi Hao
U22 Vietnam maintained a good formation distance, minimizing the gaps between the lines. When the opponent pushed up, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team chose direct counter-attacks. The personnel turning point came in the 74th minute when Bui Vi Hao returned to the field, giving the attack more speed and the ability to exploit the gaps. This striker was the destination of the through ball from Le Van Thuan in the controversial move in the 84th minute.
Notable milestones
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 | He Yiran headed the ball wide of the post for China U22 |
| 28 | Cao Van Binh saves the shot in a face-to-face situation |
| 43 | Thanh Nhan missed the chance to open the score. |
| 74 | Bui Vi Hao returns to the field, increasing attack firepower |
| 80 | Pham Minh Phuc finished close to the goal, U22 Vietnam 1-0 |
| 84 | Referee Shen Yinhao refused to award a penalty after a push from behind on Bui Vi Hao. |
Impact on the rankings
The victory helped U22 Vietnam temporarily rise to second place in the group at the Panda Cup 2025, creating an important mental advantage for the rest of the tournament.
In a tense and emotional evening, U22 Vietnam kept their composure to take the 3 points, despite not receiving any help from key decisions. The defensive foundation and sharpness at the right time were different.
