Vietnam U23 team deciphers the impenetrable defensive wall of China U23 in the semi-finals.
With their disciplined 5-3-2 formation and outstanding goalkeeper Li Hao, the Chinese U23 team is a sensation at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, forcing coach Kim Sang-sik to find solutions for his attack.
For the first time in history, the Chinese U23 team has reached the semi-finals of the U23 Asian Championship, becoming the most interesting phenomenon of the 2026 tournament. Without flashy displays or fanfare, coach Antonio Puche's squad has steadily progressed with a ruthless pragmatic philosophy, based on a defense described as "reinforced concrete" that has remained impenetrable after four consecutive matches.
Coach Antonio Puche's compact defensive system
China's perfect clean sheet record across four matches, including a tense 120 minutes against Uzbekistan U23 in the quarter-finals, is testament to their resilience. Coach Antonio Puche transformed a team that was initially underestimated into one of the most disciplined defensive machines in the tournament, employing a seamlessly functioning 5-3-2 tactical formation.
The trio of central defenders He Yiran, Peng Xiao, and Umidjan Yusup, combined with wingbacks Hu Hetao and Yang Xi, formed a dense wall of players. Coach Puche's philosophy was clear: accept conceding possession and control to the opponent, but absolutely not leave any gaps in the final third of the pitch. The compactness of their formation allowed them to seal off any openings as soon as the opponent broke through the initial pressing.
Li Hao: A goalkeeper with the mindset of Atletico Madrid.
If the 5-3-2 system is the shield, then goalkeeper Li Hao is the soul of the defense. The 2004-born goalkeeper, who previously trained at Atletico Madrid, is having a stellar tournament with his exceptional reflexes and excellent positioning. Li Hao's strong mental fortitude was clearly demonstrated in the penalty shootout against Uzbekistan U23, where he used psychological tactics to put pressure on his opponents.
In the midfield area, defensive midfielder Xu Bin acts as a tireless "sweeper". His presence significantly reduces the pressure on the central defenders and is a crucial link in the transition from defense to quick counter-attacks.
A minimalist playstyle that nonetheless delivers significant damage.
Despite scoring only one goal in four matches, the Chinese U23 team is by no means weak in attack. This is a proactive tactical choice: prioritizing long balls, bypassing the midfield area to maximize the physical advantage of the striker duo Behram Abduweli and Wang Yudong.
Both Abduweli and Wang Yudong possess excellent physical strength and independent attacking capabilities. They are willing to "endure" pressure for most of the time, waiting for a moment of weakness from their opponents to punish them with unexpected counter-attacks. This is a problem of concentration that the Vietnam U23 defense needs to pay special attention to.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's strategy
To break through this concrete wall, the Vietnam U23 team needs flexibility and adaptability instead of relying solely on enthusiasm. Coach Kim Sang-sik may instruct his players to play like a multifaceted "Rubik's Cube": short passes at high speed and utilizing the individual breakthrough abilities of stars like Dinh Bac to stretch the opponent's formation.
Patience will be key. Against a disciplined opponent like China U23, diverse attacking options, from long-range shots to set pieces, will need to be optimized. The composure honed through the group stage will be the asset that will give the red-shirted players the confidence to solve this difficult problem and aim for a historic ticket to the final.
