U22 Vietnam has a chance to win the Panda Cup 2025
All four teams in the Panda Cup 2025 have 3 points. U22 Vietnam will play U22 Korea at 2:30 p.m.; a win will open the door to the championship, especially if China and Uzbekistan draw.
At 2:30 p.m. today, November 18, in Chengdu (China), U22 Vietnam entered the decisive match with U22 Korea in the Panda Cup 2025. After two rounds, all four teams including Vietnam, Korea, China and Uzbekistan have 3 points, turning the final round into a championship determination match. Winning against Korea, U22 Vietnam will have a wide chance to win the championship, especially if the China - Uzbekistan match at 6:35 p.m. ends in a draw.
Championship scenario of U22 Vietnam
- Win U22 Korea + China vs Uzbekistan draw: U22 Vietnam is the champion.
- Winning against U22 Korea + having a winner in the China - Uzbekistan match: U22 Vietnam can still win the championship if they win by a large enough margin to surpass the goal difference of their direct competitor.
In the context of all 3 points, goal difference is likely to be an important parameter in the final round, so every goal or loss has great value.
Situation after two rounds: key figures
The first two rounds recorded a series of round-robin results: U22 Vietnam beat China 1-0 but lost to Uzbekistan 0-1; U22 Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-0 but lost to China 0-2. From the above results, the provisional goal difference after two matches is as follows:
| Team | Point | Goal | Conceded goal | Difference (provisional) | Results of each match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U22 Vietnam | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | beat China 1-0; lost to Uzbekistan 0-1 |
| U22 Korea | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | beat Uzbekistan 2-0; lost to China 0-2 |
| China U22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | lost to Vietnam 0-1; won against Korea 2-0 |
| U22 Uzbekistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | -1 | beat Vietnam 1-0; lost to Korea 0-2 |
Note: The difference numbers are calculated directly from the above ratios.
Examining the opponent U22 Korea: mobile, fast and erratic
U22 Korea has always been a formidable opponent at the youth level. However, at the Panda Cup 2025, they showed inconsistency when they beat Uzbekistan 2-0 and then lost 0-2 to China. Earlier this year, also in a friendly tournament in China, U22 Vietnam drew 1-1 with U22 Korea.
View from the technical area
Coach Dinh Hong Vinh maintained a cautious attitude, emphasizing the mobility, speed and modernity in the playing style of U22 Korea. He said he would carefully review the 0-1 loss to Uzbekistan to adjust the appropriate tactics for the confrontation at 2:30 p.m.
Final round schedule
- 14:30: U22 Vietnam vs U22 Korea
- 18:35: U22 China vs U22 Uzbekistan
The match with U22 Korea is therefore not only a race for 3 points, but also an opportunity for U22 Vietnam to close the Panda Cup 2025 in the best scenario.
