Vietnam U23 faces China U23: Record-breaking attack challenges the steel wall.
The semi-final clash of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship between Vietnam U23, the team with the highest scoring record in the tournament, and China U23, with an unbeaten defense, will take place at 10:30 PM.
The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final between Vietnam and China is not just a battle for a place in the final, but also an extreme clash between two opposing tactical systems. While Coach Kim Sang Sik's team boasts the most explosive attack in history, the Chinese team is advancing with a pragmatic and even ruthless playing style.
The transformation of the Vietnam U23 team under coach Kim Sang Sik
Coach Kim Sang Sik's team is experiencing the most impressive journey in the history of Vietnamese football at the continental stage. Vietnam is one of only two teams to maintain a perfect four-match winning streak, matching title contender Japan. Notably, improvements in physical fitness and discipline have transformed Vietnam into an extremely formidable team.
Vietnam's most dangerous weapon right now is their ability to transition from defense to attack. With 8 goals scored, Nguyen Dinh Bac and his teammates have replicated the best performance of the 2018 Changzhou tournament. However, the actual effectiveness is even more impressive: the team's conversion rate of chances into goals reached 19%, leading the entire tournament.
Nevertheless, personnel issues are causing concern for the coaching staff as two key players, Le Van Thuan and Nguyen Dinh Bac, are still not fully recovered from injuries. Coach Kim Sang Sik affirmed that the team's success stems from their fighting spirit and intelligent play, aiming to win a third consecutive major title for Vietnamese football.
The pragmatic steel wall of the Chinese U23 team.
In stark contrast to Vietnam's free-flowing style, the Chinese U23 team advanced to the semi-finals with the extreme defensive philosophy of coach Antonio Puche Vicente. This is the first time in history that the team has progressed beyond the group stage and gone this far in an Asian U23 Championship, all based on a highly disciplined three-center-back system.
Their most impressive statistic is the zero goals conceded after four matches. The biggest factor helping China maintain this record is goalkeeper Li Hao. He leads the tournament with 24 saves and is the only player with a 100% save rate against shots on target.
Despite receiving much criticism for their lack of attacking play, with possession often below 45%, coach Fan Zhiyi believes this is the most realistic way to win. However, a major blow for China in this semi-final is the absence of defensive midfielder Yang Haoyu due to suspension.
Historical statistics and air combat hotspots
The match, taking place at 10:30 PM on January 20th, marks the first time the two teams have met in an official knockout round of the AFC U23 Asian Championship. Recent head-to-head history heavily favors Vietnam, with a streak of three consecutive wins in 2009 (3-1), 2019 (2-0), and November 2025 (1-0).
A noteworthy tactical detail lies in their aerial ability. While Peng Xiao (China) leads the tournament in the number of header clearances, Vietnam boasts the central defensive duo of Nguyen Hieu Minh and Pham Ly Duc with a combined total of 38 aerial clearances. This is the pair with the best aerial defense statistics in the last four tournaments.
To break through the impenetrable wall that is Li Hao, the Vietnam U23 team needs to be alert to avoid falling into the opponent's counter-attack trap. Caution will be key in a match where even the smallest mistake can lead to a very high price.
