Dinh Bac is under the scrutiny of the Chinese U23 team, his tactics have been figured out before the match, causing Vietnamese fans to worry.

Dinh Bac is currently the name causing a stir on Chinese social media ahead of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship semi-final match taking place tonight. With his brilliant form, the young striker of the Vietnamese U23 team has become a major threat, causing considerable concern among the Chinese media.

The "Ruan Tingbei" craze and the obsession of the Chinese people.

Less than 24 hours before the match at Al-Faisal Stadium officially kicked off, the keyword 阮廷北 (Ruan Tingbei - Nguyen Dinh Bac) shot straight to the top of search results on Chinese social media platforms Douyin and Xiaohongshu. Fans in China continuously shared clips showcasing the sharp finishing ability and blistering speed of the 22-year-old striker from Nghe An province. Many Chinese netizens even likened him to "the Messi of Vietnam" and issued a stern warning: "Dinh Bac's finishing ability is terrifying; this will be the biggest challenge our defense will face."

This special attention goes beyond mere polite praise. Sina and many other reputable Chinese sports websites have dedicated in-depth analyses to the influence of Dinh Bac – who has directly contributed to 4 goals (3 goals, 1 assist) since the start of the tournament. Renowned commentator Huang Jianxiang stated: "Vietnam U23 has won all their matches and scored 8 goals, with Dinh Bac being their sharpest weapon. To reach the final, China U23 must neutralize this number 7 at all costs." The fact that an individual is being so intensely targeted by the opponent inadvertently creates significant psychological pressure on the young Vietnamese striker before this crucial match.

The "counter-strategy" and ambitions of Li Hao, the "steel wall."

Chinese media outlets have made no secret of their intention to neutralize the playing style of Coach Kim Sang-sik's team, likening the Vietnamese U23 team to a "refined version" of Uzbekistan. Sina.com pointed out three fatal weaknesses that the Chinese U23 team needs to exploit: the midfield transition bottleneck, the decline in physical fitness in the second half, and especially the counter-attacking efficiency. They believe that the Vietnamese U23 team is extremely strong in their ability to maneuver in tight spaces, so Coach Antonio Puche's solution will be to block the central axis and completely isolate the attacking players.

Furthermore, China's confidence is further bolstered by the "legendary" form of goalkeeper Li Hao. With four consecutive clean sheets and successfully saving all 24 shots on target, Li Hao is the most solid goalkeeper in the tournament. The clash between the "blade" Dinh Bac and the "steel wall" Li Hao promises to be a difficult challenge for the Vietnamese U23 coaching staff. Vietnamese fans have reason to worry, as it seems that all of coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical moves have been analyzed by the opposing team, who have prepared thorough countermeasures.

The resilience of the "Golden Star Warriors" amidst media onslaught.

Although opponents may focus on "countering" Dinh Bac, the true strength of the Vietnam U23 team lies in their discipline and ability to switch tactics extremely quickly. Overemphasizing the number 7 player could become a "double-edged sword," creating space for other players to shine. Tonight's semi-final at 10:30 PM will be a tense battle of wits, where the collective spirit under coach Kim Sang-sik is expected to overcome any obstacles from China.

Chinese goalkeeper Li Hao challenges Vietnam U23 team, making sarcastic remarks about Dinh Bac, causing a stir. An Dương15:35:07 19/01/2026Not only is he making waves with his impressive height and excellent reflexes, but goalkeeper Li Hao, born in 2004, is becoming a new symbol of perseverance and resilience at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.