U22 Vietnam won 1-0, aiming for points against Uzbekistan

Vietnam U22 opened the 2025 Panda Cup with a 1-0 victory over host China U22, a result that created important psychological momentum before the encounter with Uzbekistan U22 on November 15. Under the guidance of interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh, the young team played with discipline, ready to collide and win many key battles. Minh Phuc's decisive goal came at the end of the match, reflecting the tenacity and organization that this team is building. The goal against Uzbekistan is clearly defined: to get points, based on the proactive playing style shown in the opening match.

Key moment: Minh Phuc decides at the end of the match

In a match that was high on intensity, the late goal was a reward for the disciplined performance of U22 Vietnam. Minh Phuc's goal came from a series of continuous efforts, steadfastness in organization and the ability to compete fairly despite the opponent's superior physique. That image reminded of the collective spirit that helped U23 Vietnam create a strong impression on the continental stage.

Bodybuilding as a foundation for intensity and aerial combat

The highlight of the current U22 generation is their physique. More than half of the squad are over 1m80 tall, significantly increasing the range of tactical options in aerial combat, dead ball and transition situations that require speed. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, 1m91 tall – who started for Vietnam against Nepal – brings a necessary presence in the 16m50 area, while players like Le Van Ha, Nguyen Hieu Minh or Nguyen Van Truong help the team reduce the disadvantage in one-on-one battles.

In the context of continental football increasingly improving physical standards, the advantage of stature helps U22 Vietnam no longer be inferior in direct confrontations. When combined with team discipline, this advantage creates a foundation for the team to maintain the intensity of pressing, protect the penalty area and exploit set-piece situations more effectively.

Tactical organization: cohesive despite short timeframes

Despite having only been together for a short time, U22 Vietnam still showed cohesion and coherence in operation. That reflects the thorough preparation of the coaching staff and the eagerness of the young players. The high-intensity competition framework like Panda Cup 2025 requires the team to control the structure, from keeping the distance to positional discipline at the transition points.

Uzbekistan test on November 15, followed by U22 Korea

The next opponent is U22 Uzbekistan - the team that left many regrets for Vietnamese fans in the final match of U23 Asia 2018. This confrontation is considered a heavy test to verify the true mettle and class of U22 Vietnam. Three days later, the team will meet U22 Korea, a team in the top group of the continent. Regardless of the result, the requirements are still the same: maintain the proactive playing style, mettle and fighting spirit like the victory over U22 China.

• November 15: U22 Vietnam vs U22 Uzbekistan – goal of getting points
• Three days later: U22 Vietnam vs U22 Korea

Long-term impact: a stepping stone for SEA Games 33

After the 2025 Panda Cup, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will enter the campaign to hunt for a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. Regional rivals such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are all preparing strongly, even using many naturalized players. That further emphasizes the need for U22 Vietnam to maintain progress in terms of expertise, physical strength and tactical thinking to be able to compete fairly for the title.

Selected numbers

• Opening match score: U22 Vietnam 1-0 U22 China
• More than half of the team is over 1m80 tall
• Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is 1m91 tall and was the main goalkeeper for the Vietnamese team against Nepal.

The opening victory is important, but the way of winning – with discipline, intensity and perseverance – is a valuable signal before U22 Vietnam enters two consecutive tests with U22 Uzbekistan and U22 Korea.