History casts shadow over Vietnam ahead of U23 Asian Cup semifinal with China

Ahead of the match, scheduled for 10:30 pm on Tuesday, optimism has surged following Vietnam’s strong showing in the group stage and the first knockout round, achievements that few had predicted before the tournament.

Yet when set against past results in official competitions, the numbers offer a more sobering picture: Vietnam’s U23 side have never beaten China at an AFC-sanctioned tournament.

China have long been an awkward opponent for Vietnamese football at youth level, particularly when matches carry competitive weight.

While Vietnam’s performances in recent years suggest a narrowing gap, that progress has largely come outside official continental or multi-sport competitions.

Past results offer little comfort

At U23 level across all competitions, Vietnam have recorded two wins, two draws, and one defeat in their last five meetings with Chinese teams.

The most notable victories came on Chinese soil, including a 2-0 win in Wuhan in 2019, when striker Nguyen Tien Linh scored twice, and a 1-0 victory at the Panda Cup in November 2025.

Those results reflected Vietnam’s technical improvement and a growing belief when facing traditional regional powers.

However, both tournaments were invitational events rather than part of the AFC competition system.

In official tournaments, the balance has consistently tilted in China’s favor.

Vietnam’s Olympic teams suffered defeats to China at the Asian Games in 2002 and 2010, losing 2-0 and 3-0 respectively.

As the teams prepare to meet again, Vietnam have yet to register a single official U23 victory over China in AFC competitions.

A 3-1 win by Vietnam’s senior national team over China at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers is often cited as evidence of a shift in regional hierarchy.

But that match involved full international sides and remains Vietnam’s only victory in nine official senior-level meetings with China, underscoring the difficulty of the fixture across age groups.

The upcoming semifinal is expected to differ sharply from the more open encounters seen at the Panda Cup.

China have emerged as the only team at the tournament yet to concede a goal, highlighting a disciplined and pragmatic approach.

Under head coach Antonio Puche, China’s U23 side have prioritized defensive organization, often sitting deep and slowing the tempo to force opponents into errors.

The approach has proved effective throughout the tournament and reflects lessons learned from previous setbacks.

For Vietnam, coached by Kim Sang Sik, the challenge will extend beyond tactics.

While the team have demonstrated composure and consistency during the tournament, breaking a long-standing barrier against China in an official competition would require sustaining that level under intense pressure.

The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup is being held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24.

The Vietnam–China game is broadcast on domestic television platforms including TV360, FPT Play, VTV5, and HTV Sports.

The other semifinal between Japan and South Korea takes place at 6:30 pm (Vietnam time) the same day.