U23 Vietnam’s remarkable journey at the AFC U23 Championship 2026 came to a halt in the semifinal after a 0-3 defeat to a dominant U23 China. The loss may have been decisive, but it left behind a trail of lessons, regrets, and a sense of unfinished business.

Coming into the match, U23 Vietnam carried the confidence of a team that had consistently impressed. Under coach Kim Sang Sik, they had displayed discipline, bravery, and tactical maturity - qualities that inspired hope, even against a physically superior Chinese side.

That confidence translated into a proactive start. Vietnam took the initiative early, looking to unsettle China with aggressive pressing and fast passing. But the strategy soon revealed its limits.

China quickly adapted. Their defense, alert and composed, absorbed the early pressure and exposed flaws in Vietnam's approach. The longer the match went on, the more erratic Vietnam became. Misplaced passes and uncoordinated pressing began to appear, signaling the unraveling of a team once hailed for its composure.

Then came the blow that changed everything.

At the 32nd minute, central defender Hieu Minh, a pillar in the backline, went down with an injury and had to be substituted. His absence unbalanced the Vietnamese defense, and China wasted no time taking advantage.

The Chinese side, previously known for their reactive approach, came out after halftime with a different mindset. They pushed higher, dominated possession, and soon found the breakthrough. Vietnam, still reeling from the loss of Hieu Minh, conceded just minutes into the second half.

That goal shattered any semblance of control Vietnam hoped to regain. Moments later, the situation worsened when Ly Duc received a red card for a reckless challenge in the 74th minute. Down to ten men and down by two goals, Vietnam saw the match - and the dream - slipping away.

A third Chinese goal followed in stoppage time, a result that reflected not just the tactical supremacy of the Chinese side but also the unraveling of a Vietnamese team overwhelmed by the occasion.

"A different China"

The transformation of U23 China surprised even Vietnam’s players.

Goalkeeper Trung Kien, visibly emotional after the match, admitted that the team was caught off guard.

“China played very differently from before. They were sharp in attack and solid at the back,” he said. “We’ll do our best to recover and win the next game.”

Indeed, China came with a plan, and it was executed with discipline. Coach Antonio Puche revealed that his team aimed to dominate possession and control the tempo. “We wanted the ball in their half as much as possible,” Puche said. “The players did everything I asked. We deserved this win.”

Puche praised his players’ composure and quality, and looked ahead confidently to the final against Japan.

Regrets and what-ifs

Despite the clear result, there were moments that might have changed the story.

Vietnamese media pointed to Hieu Minh’s injury as the turning point. Without him, the defense lost its structure. The red card only compounded the collapse.

Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged that the match had slipped out of his control. “We had plans, but the game developed differently,” he said. “Losing Hieu Minh in the first half disrupted everything. The early goal in the second half broke our rhythm and confidence.”

Even so, Kim refused to dwell solely on the loss. “I want to thank the players for giving their all. We still have one more match. We will regroup, focus, and fight with everything we have.”

Praise and support from the region

While the defeat was a bitter blow, U23 Vietnam were far from forgotten. Across Southeast Asia, fans offered words of encouragement.

“Vietnam played a great tournament,” one Indonesian fan wrote. “You made us proud.”

Thai fans praised China’s goalkeeper, but also expressed admiration for Vietnam’s efforts throughout the competition.

Looking ahead

Vietnam will now face U23 South Korea in the third-place playoff - a match filled with both emotional and symbolic weight, especially for coach Kim Sang Sik, who will meet his home nation not in the final, but in a battle for bronze.

South Korean media shared the sentiment, noting the missed chance for a dream final between Vietnam and Korea. But they also recognized Vietnam’s progress and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

“The journey isn’t over,” Kim reminded. “We still have a chance to show how far we’ve come.”

Dai Nam-Ngoc Huy-Lam Hoang