U23 Vietnam - U23 China: A Clash of Two Playing Styles

According to the Global Times, the Chinese team has advanced further than any previous squad at this level. Their success story is built on defensive discipline and pragmatic gameplay.

In four matches at the U23 Asian Championship, U23 China has not conceded any goals during regular time and has scored only one goal. This modest record has attracted considerable criticism. However, some analysts argue that in knockout stages, especially at the youth level, efficiency often matters more.

Defensively, China has demonstrated outstanding organizational ability. The defense maintained a tight formation, the midfield protected the central area with high discipline, and goalkeeper Li Hao emerged as a standout player by keeping a clean sheet. His impressive performance against U23 Uzbekistan, including key saves in the penalty shootout, turned a seemingly balanced match into a historic breakthrough.

Meanwhile, U23 Vietnam’s victory over U23 UAE in the quarterfinals is regarded as a case worth studying. The team twice took the lead, was twice equalized, and ultimately won 3-2 after extra time. Theoretically, conceding two early goals reveals certain weaknesses, but their control of the game tells a very different story.

U23 Vietnam largely dominated the match throughout the full 120 minutes. Their passing rhythm, positioning, and ability to receive and distribute the ball under pressure across the pitch were all rated superior.

More notably, the team has shown clear “maturation.” Vietnam is no longer a side relying solely on individual brilliance or momentary spirit. Over the past year, they have remained unbeaten against China in two friendlies, including a 1-0 win at the Panda Cup last November.

Currently, U23 Vietnam plays on a foundation of solid technique, featuring outstanding individuals such as 21-year-old Nguyễn Đình Bắc, who has represented the national team multiple times. Although not at peak form due to injury, his decisiveness and confidence still provide an advantage to the team.

Clearly, over the past decade, despite physical limitations that cannot be quickly overcome, technique remains an area Vietnamese players can actively improve through training. Consistent achievements over the last ten years, including the runner-up finish at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, reflect a long-term belief in development based on technical skills. Facing a Chinese team focused primarily on limiting space rather than creating it, U23 Vietnam’s technical confidence poses a completely different challenge.

However, a psychological shift also reveals a process of reassessing goals for U23 China. Player Liu Haofan told reporters on January 19 that initially the team aimed only to reach the knockout stage, but now the plan has changed as they target a spot in the final.

U23 Vietnam is likely to control possession, patiently circulate the ball, and test China’s defense with flexible movement rather than relying on physical strength. Conversely, U23 China will try to close spaces, disrupt the opponent’s rhythm, and drag the match into a tense battle, ideally through set-pieces or even a penalty shootout, as they demonstrated against U23 Uzbekistan.

There is no guarantee that a technical style will prevail. U23 Vietnam’s technical superiority is real, and the attacking power of the “Golden Star Warriors” can make a difference. However, U23 China’s resilient defense has yet to be broken, and in football, rewards often go to the team that endures longer.

Regardless of the outcome, both U23 Vietnam and U23 China can draw valuable lessons beyond the scope of a single match. Vietnam’s progress shows that sustainable investment in technical training can reshape a football identity, while China’s journey confirms that discipline, structure, and pragmatism can still open doors once thought closed.