Vietnam U23 suffered a heavy defeat against China U23.

Entering the semi-final, the Vietnam U23 team carried immense confidence after their emotional victory against the UAE U23 team in the quarter-finals. This was a rare occasion since the 2018 Changzhou tournament that Vietnamese youth football had returned to the top four in Asia. Confidence, determination, and a desire to continue their historic dream were clearly evident in the players' approach to the game. Coach Kim Sang-sik also made notable personnel changes, giving Cong Phuong a starting opportunity in attack, while Dinh Bac continued to be a "strategic asset" on the bench.

On the other side, the Chinese U23 team entered the match with great determination. Their victory against Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals, although partly due to luck, had boosted the confidence of the young Chinese team, especially thanks to their disciplined defense and the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Li Hao. Instead of playing defensively as before, the Chinese U23 team started more proactively, readily challenging and pressing from the opponent's half.

The first half unfolded with a back-and-forth, high-paced game. Vietnam U23 had moments of good ball control and created several notable opportunities from set pieces. Captain Van Khang's dangerous free-kick in the 24th minute forced Li Hao to make a full-stretch save, a rare moment that unsettled the Chinese defense. However, the injury to center-back Hieu Minh in the 30th minute severely disrupted the Vietnamese team's defensive structure. This unexpected substitution deprived Vietnam U23 of a crucial link in their organization and aerial defense.

Entering the second half, the situation quickly turned unfavorable for the Vietnam U23 team. In the 47th minute, from a corner kick, a lapse in marking allowed Peng Xiao to comfortably head the ball into the net, opening the scoring for China U23. The early goal forced Coach Kim Sang-sik's team to push forward in search of an equalizer, which meant leaving many gaps in their defense.

Just a few minutes later, that weakness was exploited again. In the 52nd minute, the Vietnamese U23 defense lacked decisiveness, allowing Xiang Yuwang to turn and neatly finish, doubling the lead. Two consecutive goals in less than 10 minutes completely tilted the game in favor of the Chinese U23 team, while the morale of the Vietnamese players was clearly affected.

Vietnam U23's efforts to fight back were further hampered in the 77th minute when Ly Duc received a red card after a collision deemed to be an act of recklessness. Playing with ten men and trailing, coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical plans were almost completely ruined. Nevertheless, the red-shirted players showed their fighting spirit. Shots from Thanh Nhan and a series of saves from goalkeeper Trung Kien helped Vietnam U23 avoid a heavier defeat.

However, as the match entered injury time, the disparity in physical fitness and tactical organization became all too clear. In the 90+8th minute, Wang Yudong unleashed a direct shot to seal a 3-0 victory, ending Vietnam U23's dream of reaching the final.

Despite being eliminated in the semi-finals, the Vietnam U23 team can still hold their heads high. This tournament continues to demonstrate the progress of Vietnamese youth football. The upcoming third-place match is still an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik's team to conclude the tournament with a positive impression, serving as a stepping stone for further journeys in the future.