Vietnam U23 vs China U23: Favorable circumstances combine for a historic ticket to the final.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's team has the advantage of rest and familiarity with the pitch against a U23 China team that is physically exhausted and has suffered personnel losses in the U23 Asian Championship semi-finals.
At 10:30 PM tonight (January 20, 2026), the Vietnam U23 team will enter a historic semi-final match at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Facing their long-time rivals, the China U23 team, coach Kim Sang-sik's squad possesses crucial strategic cards to decipher the defense of the Chinese team.
A contrast in philosophy and character.
The clash at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium was a showdown between two contrasting styles of play. While the Vietnam U23 team employed a flexible attacking system, prioritizing ball control and diverse approaches to the goal, the China U23 team opted for a maximally pragmatic approach.
The Chinese team advanced to the semi-finals with a surprising statistic: scoring only one goal but keeping a clean sheet thanks to a large number of defenders. However, the resilience of this system relies too heavily on the individual performance of goalkeeper Li Hao, who has made 16 saves since the start of the tournament. Under constant pressure from fast-paced attackers like Ding Bei and Wen Kang, the passive nature of the Chinese defense is predicted to expose many weaknesses.
Absolute advantage in physical strength and geographical location.
In youth football, physical fitness often determines the final result, and in this respect, the balance is heavily tilted towards the "Golden Star Warriors". The Chinese U23 team just went through a grueling 120 minutes of play against Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals, while the Vietnamese U23 team had a full day more rest than their opponents to recover their muscles.
Besides physical factors, the psychological and physical exhaustion of the opponents also stemmed from having to travel nearly 1,000km from Riyadh to Jeddah. Conversely, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team enjoyed the advantage of not having to travel. Having already played two matches at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, the Vietnamese players were fully adapted to the pitch, lighting, and climate conditions in Jeddah.
Key personnel loss for China U23
China's difficulties are compounded by the absence of midfielder Yang Haoyu due to suspension. This is an irreplaceable loss as Yang Haoyu is the most important link in their defensive structure, having started all four of their recent matches.
This absence opens up a golden opportunity for the mobile midfield of the Vietnam U23 team, under the command of Thai Son, to completely control the central area. Without this "shield," our attacks through the middle or through passes will be more lethal to the opponent's already tired defense.
With all three factors in place – favorable timing from the schedule, home advantage from familiarity with the pitch, and the strength of the players – having preserved their squad against a depleted opponent, the Vietnam U23 team has the greatest opportunity to repeat their previous feat. As long as they maintain focus and a cool head, a place in the final is entirely within the reach of coach Kim Sang-sik and his players.
