Coach Kim opens up ahead of the semi-final match against China U23, praising Trung Kien.

Ahead of the semi-final match against China U23, coach Kim Sang Sik once again reflected on Vietnam U23's impressive journey in the tournament, while emphasizing that the biggest goal remains: a place in the final.

Looking back at the journey of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, it's clear that this journey was woven together by emotionally charged matches, where the resilience and never-give-up spirit of coach Kim Sang Sik's team were put to the ultimate test.

Facing tough opponents like U23 Jordan, U23 Kyrgyzstan, host U23 Saudi Arabia, and then U23 UAE in the quarterfinals, U23 Vietnam needs not only a sound strategy but also unwavering determination. Coach Kim Sang Sik emphasized: "Looking back at our journey in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals, we went through difficult matches against very strong opponents, from U23 Jordan, U23 Kyrgyzstan, then host U23 Saudi Arabia, and most recently U23 UAE in the quarterfinals."

"In every match and under every circumstance, my players never stop being determined, never give up, and always move forward." This statement accurately reflects the fighting spirit of the red-shirted team: never backing down in the face of adversity, always knowing how to rise again after every difficult moment. The South Korean coach continued to share the value of that spirit to the team's overall success: "Those qualities have brought victories and fulfilled the expectations of the fans, who always follow and support the team from home."

"I'm very happy that the Vietnam U23 team has received so much attention and encouragement. This provides great motivation, pushing us towards victory." The support from home has become a powerful source of mental energy, helping the young players feel more confident every time they step onto the field. Coach Kim Sang Sik also brought an interesting detail outside of professional matters. He recounted with a smile: "Even though I'm here, I still keep up with information from Vietnam, so I know that fans photoshopped me with Harry Potter, which looks quite funny." This small story shows the approachable and relaxed nature of the strategist born in 1976, and also reflects the special attention that fans have for him and the team.

Ahead of the semi-final match, coach Kim Sang Sik attracted attention by selecting goalkeeper Trung Kien to attend the press conference. He clearly explained his reason: "Trung Kien has played excellently in this tournament, especially his spectacular performance against U23 Saudi Arabia. In the semi-final against U23 China, the performance of Trung Kien and Li Hao from U23 China will certainly be worth watching." The trust placed in Trung Kien stems not only from one good match, but also from his consistency and strong mentality throughout the tournament.

Entering the semi-final match against China U23, coach Kim Sang Sik assessed this as a highly significant encounter requiring thorough preparation in all aspects. He said: "I know that a match against a Chinese team is always important, and I also see the determination and will to win of the players. That's why we are doing our best, preparing meticulously for the match with only one goal: to win a ticket to the final." This statement shows that Vietnam U23 is not only aiming for a victory, but also for another historical milestone. With disciplined play, high team spirit, and flexible guidance from the coaching staff, Vietnam U23 enters the semi-final with great confidence.

What happened to the Vietnam U23 team? Chinese media accused them of having "illusory hopes of victory." Hải Đăng13:34:01 20/01/2026Ahead of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship semi-finals, the Vietnam U23 team unexpectedly became the center of controversy when Chinese media suggested that the premature praise was creating a false sense of victory. Furthermore, China entered the match as the underdog, facing significant risks...