Vietnam's U23 team stuns Indonesian media, who consider them more formidable than in Changzhou.

Indonesian media outlets have unanimously expressed surprise, claiming that the current Vietnam U23 team is even more "formidable" than the 2018 Changzhou squad. Analyses of their playing style, achievements, and squad depth have led to a completely different perception of Vietnamese youth football.

The thrilling 3-2 victory against the UAE U23 team in the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship not only propelled the Vietnam U23 team into the semi-finals but also sparked a heated debate in the regional media. Notably, a number of major Indonesian newspapers simultaneously made a striking statement: the current Vietnam U23 team is even more "formidable" than the generation that achieved the miracle in Changzhou in 2018.

According to CNN Indonesia, the biggest difference lies in how the Vietnam U23 team won. In 2018, the team under coach Park Hang-seo reached the final with a resilient spirit, tenacious defense, and emotional penalty shootouts. At that time, Vietnam only had one victory in 90 minutes, with the rest being draws and wins thanks to tense penalty shootouts, all under harsh weather conditions in China.

In contrast, the Vietnamese U23 team at this year's tournament has shown a completely different face. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team won four consecutive matches, three of which ended within regular time. The victory against the UAE U23 team in extra time also demonstrated their ability to maintain intensity, physical fitness, and composure in crucial moments. Indonesian media believe these were overwhelming victories, reflecting their true strength rather than simply relying on fleeting moments or luck.

The Mureks newspaper added another important factor when mentioning the Vietnamese U23 team's streak of 15 consecutive wins in official tournaments, excluding friendlies. This number far surpasses what the 2018 generation achieved and shows long-term stability, something that Vietnamese youth football previously lacked. According to the newspaper, the current Vietnamese U23 team not only plays well in one specific tournament, but maintains high performance across various competitions, from the AFF U23 Championship, SEA Games to the qualifiers and finals of the U23 Asian Championship.

Another point highlighted by Indonesian media is the change in personnel structure. While in 2018, the Vietnam U23 team was associated with prominent names like Quang Hai, Cong Phuong, and Xuan Truong, the current squad is strongly characterized by teamwork. Coach Kim Sang-sik proactively rotates the squad, giving opportunities to most players and building a flexible operating system that is less dependent on individual players.

Tribun News suggests that this approach makes the Vietnam U23 team difficult to predict. Gone is the image of a single star carrying the team; instead, there are many players ready to shine at different times. This helps the team maintain balance, even when facing a packed schedule and immense pressure.

From the phenomenon of Changzhou in 2018 to the "formidable" image at the 2026 tournament, the Vietnam U23 team is showing a clear transformation. Beyond just emotions or historic moments, the young Vietnamese team is now seen as a stable, distinct group capable of creating real pressure on any opponent in Asia.

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