Thai fans are praising Vietnam U23 and suggesting strategies for Kim Sang-Sik to face China U23?

Vietnam U23 is becoming the pride of Southeast Asia with a streak of four consecutive wins, advancing to the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Championship. Ahead of the crucial match against China U23, Thai fans are showering Vietnam with praise and enthusiastically offering strategies for them to defeat their opponents.

When arch-rival Thailand "bows down" to the strength of Vietnam.

On vibrant football forums in Thailand, a strange phenomenon is occurring as numerous Thai fans are simultaneously expressing admiration for the devastating performance of the Vietnamese U23 team. Gone are the heated debates; Thai supporters acknowledge that the "Golden Star Warriors" possess an extremely stable and resilient playing system. "It's surprising that Vietnam is currently playing better than Thailand, even though we developed earlier. They came here to conquer West Asian teams," one Thai fan frankly stated on social media.

Many opinions from Thailand have even offered advice and predicted that Vietnam will create the biggest shock in the history of Asian football. From their perspective, this U23 Vietnamese team has the ability to wear down their opponents' stamina in an astonishing way until they are exhausted before delivering the finishing blow. Some Thai football fans even believe that Vietnam will surpass China to reach the final against Japan. This enthusiastic support from their rival neighbors is not just polite flattery, but also proof of the real strength of Vietnamese football, which has reached continental level and commands respect from all opponents.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's "Death Game" and his plan to decipher Li Hao.

Responding to the high expectations from fans, coach Kim Sang-sik and his players are preparing very seriously in Saudi Arabia. During the training session on the afternoon of January 18th, the South Korean coach attracted attention by bringing a tactical board onto the pitch to directly instruct each position. After watching the quarter-final match between China U23 and Uzbekistan U23, Coach Kim clearly identified the "firewall" set up by the opponent, especially the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Li Hao – the hero who successfully saved penalties for the Chinese team.

Recognizing that the Chinese U23 team's defense is their strongest point, with a thoroughly defensive style of play, coach Kim Sang-sik has devised diverse attacking drills to find ways to break through this stubborn system. The 49-year-old strategist demands that his players maximize their ability to quickly move the ball and choose the most precise moment for an all-out attack. He frequently walks around the field, thoughtfully considering tactical moves to exploit the weaknesses in the slow reaction time of opposing defenders under intense pressure.

Physical fitness and an unprecedented 15-match winning streak.

The Vietnam U23 team possesses both favorable circumstances and home advantage ahead of their semi-final match against China at 10:30 PM on January 20th. After a valuable four-day rest, key players like Van Thuan and Dinh Bac have fully recovered and are ready to take the field in peak physical condition. Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the entire team maintains sky-high morale and an impressive streak of 15 wins. This match is not only a quest for a place in the final but also an opportunity to reaffirm the dominant position of Southeast Asian football, determined to extend their golden history through unity and a scientific playing style.

A familiar referee makes a comeback, Vietnam U23 faces China with a shocking decision. Linh Thảo09:27:58 19/01/2026Australian referee Alexander George King continues to be in the spotlight as the AFC announces he will officiate the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final between Vietnam U23 and China U23. This is the second time King has refereed a match involving Vietnam U23...