Vietnam vs. China: U23 Asian Cup Semifinal Showdown

Vietnam is set to confront China in the U23 Asian Cup semifinals on January 20, 2026. Historically, Vietnam has struggled against China in official U23 matches, a statistic that weighs heavily on this upcoming clash. Although their record across eight games, including friendlies, is even, official encounters from the 2000 Olympic qualifiers saw China dominate, winning both matches convincingly.

In contrast, recent friendly encounters have shown Vietnam's growing strength, with victories and draws against China. Players like Nguyen Quoc Viet and Pham Minh Phuc, who featured in these recent friendlies, are part of the current squad. Vietnam enters the semifinal with a perfect four-win record, scoring multiple goals in each game. China, however, has progressed through a more defensive route, securing only one win in regular time and remaining unbeaten and unbreached in the tournament.

Defensive prowess is a key theme, with both goalkeepers and center-backs ranking highly in saves and clearances, respectively. China's goalkeeper Li Hao leads with 24 saves, while Vietnam's Tran Trung Kien is second with 12. China will be without midfielder Yang Haoyu due to suspension, while Vietnam has a full squad available, though some players' fitness is a concern. The winner advances to the final on January 24, facing either Japan or South Korea.