China's U23 team reveals their "secret" to beating Vietnam's U23 team, leaving all of Asia astonished.

Undeniably, throughout the semi-final match, the Chinese U23 team played a superior game to the Vietnamese U23 team, and what was bound to happen did happen: the 3-0 victory for China stunned not only Vietnam but all of Asia.

Coach Antonio Puche 's unique tactics

Under the guidance of coach Antonio Puche, the Chinese U23 team entered the semi-finals as the underdog. Before the match, most Asian experts placed their faith in the Vietnamese U23 team – coached by Kim Sang-sik – which possessed stable form, a fluid ball-control style of play, and confidence built up through each round. Conversely, the Chinese U23 team was often seen as a pragmatic team, prioritizing disciplined defense, with its biggest highlight being a series of clean sheets since the beginning of the tournament.

However, coach Puche surprised everyone by not opting for his usual approach. From the very first minutes, the Chinese U23 team adopted a high-pressure pressing strategy, actively contesting the ball and readily committing tactical fouls in the midfield to disrupt their opponent's ball distribution. This change completely overturned the game, putting the Vietnamese U23 team in an undesirable situation.

While the red-shirted team attempted short passes and ball control, the Chinese U23 team did not retreat into deep defense. They maintained a well-organized formation, pressed quickly, and did not give their opponents enough time to react. This proactive pressing style helped the Chinese team both limit the risk of being stretched out of position and maintain solidity in defense. Notably, in the first half, the Chinese U23 team even created more dangerous opportunities, with direct attacks exploiting errors in the Vietnamese U23 team's ability to escape pressing.

The turning point of the match came at the beginning of the second half. China's U23 team increased the pressure and successfully capitalized on a set piece from a corner kick to open the scoring. It wasn't a lucky goal, but the inevitable result of the game plan they had meticulously developed. With the lead, China's U23 team immediately reverted to their strengths: controlling space, disrupting the tempo of the game, and launching sharp counter-attacks.

A good physical foundation is a key factor.

Besides tactical elements, physical fitness was the second crucial factor in China's victory. Throughout the 90 minutes, they maintained a high intensity of competition, with constant pressing, physical challenges, and bursts of speed. Remarkably, despite entering the semi-finals with one less day of rest than Vietnam, the difference in physical fitness on the field was entirely in their favor.

As the match drew to a close, the Vietnamese U23 team showed signs of fatigue. Meanwhile, the Chinese U23 team continued their aggressive pressing, quickly switching tactics whenever they regained possession. Accurate long passes into the spaces behind the opposing defense, combined with the intelligent movement of their forwards, constantly put the Vietnamese goal under threat. Their superior physical fitness allowed them to control aerial balls, set pieces, and quick counter-attacks, ultimately securing a convincing victory.

Overall, the Chinese U23 team fully deserved their victory in what was their best match of the tournament. It was the result of meticulous preparation, flexible tactical thinking, and composure at crucial moments. For the Vietnamese U23 team, this defeat helps them better identify their current limitations in terms of physical fitness and tactical adaptability. From losses like this, the path to future development becomes clearer and more realistic.

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