After 8 years of participating in the top 4 strongest teams, U23 Vietnam seems to be given more motivation with a potential squad, eager to dedicate 100% of their strength towards the highest goal.
Statistics show that U23 Vietnam and U23 China have faced each other 4 times in the past. In which, the results lean towards the Southeast Asian team, when U23 Vietnam won 2 matches, drew 1 match and only lost 1 time.
Entering the AFC U23 Championship finals, U23 Vietnam is possessing stable form and ingenious tactical operation under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik. Up to now, U23 Vietnam has won all 4 matches, scored 8 goals and conceded 2 goals.
On the side of U23 China, guarding the goal was goalkeeper Li Hao with an impressive performance. Li Hao is considered an important support in the journey to the semi-finals of U23 China, helping this team not concede any goals, despite facing many strong opponents.
Commenting on the highly anticipated match between U23 Vietnam and U23 China, many fans placed strong faith in a victory with a large margin leaning towards the U23 Vietnam team.
Mr. Vu Hong Quy (75 years old, Hai Phong) - a fan of football, has high expectations for U23 Vietnam before the 2026 AFC U23 Championship semi-final match against U23 China tonight. Mr. Quyet confidently predicts that U23 Vietnam can win with a score of 2-1 after 90 minutes of official play and 30 minutes of extra time.
If the match has to enter a penalty shootout, U23 Vietnam will face many difficulties, because U23 China possesses a goalkeeper who has been in high form since the beginning of the tournament, while their ability to play football is increasingly "upward" - Mr. Quy analyzed.
However, confidence is still placed in U23 Vietnam with attacking spearheads capable of creating breakthroughs.
Mr. Quy predicted: "Players like Dinh Bac and Thanh Nhan may be "put on the field" from mid-first half, after about 30 minutes - the time when the main squad has done a good job of pressing, contesting and consuming the opponent's physical strength".
In terms of tactics, U23 Vietnam is expected to choose a defensive counter-attacking style of play, not pushing the squad too high too early but prioritizing certainty. In which, captain Khuat Van Khang can be arranged to play backwards, taking on the role of "ball-making" and supporting attacking deployment, creating a balance between defensive and fast counter-attack.
Ms. Vu Bao Minh (30 years old, Hai Phong) - watching every match at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship predicted the score to be 3-1.
The face of the semi-final match is likely to be tight and tense for most of the match time. The turning point of the match may come from personal moments or set pieces. If they take advantage of opportunities and maintain focus in decisive moments, U23 Vietnam can completely create a difference to win tickets to the final" - Ms. Minh hopes.
Similarly, Mr. Tran Viet Hoang (23 years old, Hanoi) - playing as a defender in student tournaments, predicted the score of 1-0 for the Vietnamese team.
Mr. Hoang said: "I believe the players will play with more than 200% of their strength. The possibility of the match being decided by a penalty shootout is entirely possible, because U23 China in recent matches has shown a solid and disciplined defensive style".
According to Mr. Hoang, U23 Vietnam will create attacking pressure, bringing the match into a penalty shootout at a 50/50 level.
Regarding the pre-match concerns, the goalkeeper of U23 China is considered the biggest challenge. According to assessments, this goalkeeper is in very high form, continuously has impressive saves and has received many compliments recently" - Mr. Hoang said.
However, the biggest expectation is still placed on the "not giving up" spirit of the Vietnamese team, a factor that once helped U23 Vietnam overcome many difficult times in major tournaments.
