What happened to the Vietnam U23 team? Chinese media accused them of having "illusory hopes of victory."

Ahead 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 an "illusion of victory." Furthermore, China entered the match as the underdog, posing a significant threat.

The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final between Vietnam and China hasn't even taken place yet, but the tense atmosphere has already spread across regional media. While Vietnamese fans are brimming with hope after the convincing performance of Kim Sang-sik's team, Chinese media are offering a completely opposite, even cautionary, perspective.

In an analysis published on January 19th, Sina – one of the most influential sports channels in China – argued that the Vietnamese U23 team is being overhyped by the praise of regional media. According to Sina, the fact that numerous Indonesian, Thai, and even South Korean newspapers predict Vietnam will secure a place in the final could create reverse psychological pressure on the young players themselves.

This newspaper uses a familiar phrase in Chinese culture, "overly enthusiastic teams are prone to failure," implying that teams with excessively high expectations often stumble at crucial moments. Sina suggests that the boisterous atmosphere in Vietnam, from media campaigns to the plan to install numerous large LED screens in Ho Chi Minh City to serve fans, easily leads teams into a state of premature euphoria.

"It's all like preparing for a celebration before the match starts, and that could be a double-edged sword," Sina commented. This is how Chinese media expressed concern that the pressure from excessive expectations could affect the Vietnamese U23 team's mentality.

Conversely, the Chinese U23 team entered the semi-finals with an unusually relaxed mindset. Reaching the semi-finals of the U23 Asian Championship for the first time was considered an unexpected success for coach Antonio Puche and his team. After their victory against Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals, the team was almost free from pressure to achieve results, a fact that their own media considered a significant advantage.

One notable point is that the Chinese U23 team has yet to concede a single goal after four matches in the tournament. Although they didn't dominate possession, they demonstrated discipline, patience, and strong collective defense. Uzbekistan's U23 coach, Ravshan Khaydarov, admitted that China persistently dragged the game to a penalty shootout and effectively exploited psychological factors.

South Korean media also surprisingly gave positive reviews to China's playing style, describing their 5-3-2 defensive system as an impenetrable "concrete block." Goalkeeper Li Hao was mentioned as a standout player, playing a major role in keeping a clean sheet for the East Asian team.

However, Sina also acknowledges the clear advantages of the Vietnam U23 team. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team has had more rest time, possesses many players accustomed to the pressure of international competition, and is on a streak of 15 consecutive official wins. In terms of technique and speed, Vietnam is still considered superior to their opponent.

Therefore, the clash between Vietnam and China is not just a tactical battle, but also a psychological test. One side is a team with high expectations, carrying the pressure of fans' hopes. The other is a challenger with nothing to lose, ready to play defensively and counter-attack to the very end.

The U23 Asian Cup semi-final therefore promises to not only decide the ticket to the final, but also reveal the true character of the Vietnamese U23 team when facing the delicate line between expectation and reality.

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...