U.23 Vietnam 0-1 U.23 Korea, Panda Cup 2025: Many lessons for SEA Games 33

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STARTING LINEUP
Vietnam U.23: Trung Kien; Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Thanh Nhan, Van Khang, Thai Son, Van Truong, Anh Quan, Van Ha, Tuan Phong, Duc Anh

PHOTO: CAF
U.23 Korea: Hong Seongmin; Kang Min Juh, Jo Hyun Tae, Park Seungho, Kim Dong Jin, Kim Myung Jun, Kim Hanseo, Kang Seong Jin, Kim Dohyun, Park Seonghoon, Shin Minha

PHOTO: KFA
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Vietnam U23 fielded a much-changed lineup, with three previously underperforming central defenders – Le Van Ha (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Duc Anh (Da Nang), and Dang Tuan Phong (The Cong Viettel ) – being given playing time again in the match against South Korea U23. Using a 3-4-3 formation, Vietnam U23 aimed for proactive pressing to prevent South Korea U23 from building up play.
1'
FIRST HALF BEGINS!
Vietnam U23 officially enters the decisive match against South Korea U23.
4'
Vietnam U23 is playing a slow, cautious game to maintain security in the midfield. With three reserve center-backs, the team under acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh is opting for a cautious approach. Meanwhile, South Korea U23 is trying to push forward but has yet to create any opportunities.
6'
With the midfield duo of Thai Son and Van Truong, Vietnam U23 is circulating the ball well under pressure from South Korea U23 – a team that also plays an active and "tough" pressing game, similar to Uzbekistan U23.
14'
The South Korean U23 team is currently dominating the game. Following a poor defensive play in the second line by the Vietnamese U23 team, their opponents took a shot, but the ball went wide. The pressure from the South Korean U23 team is increasing as their opponents find their rhythm in the game. The Vietnamese U23 team is struggling to defend.
21'
After the first half, there weren't many noteworthy moments. Although the South Korean U23 team had slightly more possession, they couldn't accelerate enough to truly create dangerous opportunities in front of Trung Kien's goal.
25'
The Vietnam U23 team is resorting to long balls, with passes from the defense to the flanks. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's midfield is being tightly marked by the South Korea U23 team. The right wing, with Thanh Nhan and Anh Quan, is the main attacking direction.
27
Receiving a through ball from a teammate, Kim Do-hyun dribbled straight into the U.23 Vietnam penalty area, but center-back Duc Anh rushed in to clear the ball and avert the danger. The reserve defense, consisting of Duc Anh, Tuan Phong, and Van Ha, is still holding firm against the pressure from U.23 South Korea.
32'
GOAL!
GOAL! 1-0 for South Korea U23. Kim Myeong-jun has scored for the South Korean team. South Korea U23's pressure is now evident in this opening goal.

The goal for South Korea U23 came from a free kick taken by Kang Seong-jin on the left wing. Kim Myeong-jun made a clever run to receive his teammate's header and tapped the ball into the net from close range to open the scoring.
42'
Dinh Bac received a yellow card after a collision with a South Korean U.23 player. The Vietnam U.23 team is making an effort to push forward and regain control of the game, after a period of having to retreat into a defensive formation with many players.
45'
South Korea U23 had a corner kick on the right wing. Kang Seong-jin lofted the ball towards the far post for a teammate to head it, but goalkeeper Trung Kien made a clean save to thwart the attempt.
45 + 2'
END OF FIRST HALF!
South Korea U23 are currently leading Vietnam U23 1-0.
Kim Myeong-jun's goal gave the South Korean U23 team the temporary advantage. This was the first half in which the Vietnamese U23 team was overwhelmed by their opponents, preventing them from creating any clear scoring opportunities.
46'
SECOND HALF BEGINS!
Vietnam U23 makes substitutions. Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, Nguyen Phi Hoang, and Pham Minh Phuc come on. Nguyen Thai Son, Khuat Van Khang, and Vo Anh Quan leave the field.
49'
South Korea U23 continued to create dangerous opportunities in front of Vietnam U23's goal with aerial balls. Kim Myeomg-jun made a run and headed the ball across the face of goal from a corner kick on the right wing. Once again, goalkeeper Trung Kien read the situation and made an effective save.
55'
The Vietnam U23 team has yet to develop a coherent game plan as the South Korea U23 team is pressing and marking very effectively. Interim head coach Dinh Hong Vinh needs to make adjustments.
60'
Vietnam U23 makes substitutions. Hieu Minh comes on for Van Ha. Viktor Le replaces Thanh Nhan. Striker Vi Hao also comes on for Quoc Viet. The attacking trio for Vietnam U23 is Thanh Nhan, Vi Hao and Dinh Bac.
70'
The Vietnam U23 team started playing better with a fresh attacking lineup, but still couldn't make a difference. The South Korea U23 team played tightly, especially strong in challenges, making it difficult for Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's players to get close to the goal.
75'
Van Truong suffered an injury and is receiving first aid before being taken away on a stretcher. If Van Truong is unable to play, the U.23 Vietnam midfield will lack creativity.
80'
Van Truong left the field after receiving medical attention. Preliminary assessment indicates the Hanoi FC player suffered a knee injury.
82'
Vietnam U23 is still under pressure from both flanks of South Korea U23. The South Korean team remains very strong and maintains consistent pressure.
90'
Van Truong left the field. The midfielder, born in 2003, was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment to diagnose the extent of his injury. The clock had ticked down to the 90th minute. The Vietnam U23 team was desperately trying to find an equalizer.
90 + 4'
THE MATCH IS OVER!
The South Korea U.23 team defeated Vietnam U.23 1-0.
Vietnam U23 finished the tournament with 3 points after 3 matches, scoring 1 goal and conceding 2. The team's ranking will be determined after the match between China U23 and Uzbekistan U23.

Vietnam U23 team determined to win.

The Vietnam U23 team has played two matches in the Panda Cup 2025 CFA Team China friendly tournament (held in Chengdu, China) with promising results.

In their opening match, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team defeated China U23 1-0, thanks to a goal from Pham Minh Phuc. In the second match, despite losing 0-1 to Uzbekistan U23, Vietnam U23 played well, created many opportunities, and lacked luck to score.

Because China's U23 team unexpectedly defeated South Korea's U23 team 2-0 in the second match, the championship race has become very complicated. All four teams have 3 points, separated only by goal difference.

Vietnam U23 has 3 points after 2 matches in the Panda Cup 2025.

PHOTO: VFF

Leading the group is China U23 with a goal difference of +1 (2 goals scored, 1 goal conceded). Second is South Korea U23 with a goal difference of 0 (2 goals scored, 2 goals conceded). Third is Vietnam U23, also with a goal difference of 0 (1 goal scored, 1 goal conceded). At the bottom of the table is Uzbekistan U23 with a goal difference of -1. In the final matchday, Vietnam U23 will face South Korea U23 at 2:30 PM on November 18th, while China U23 will play Uzbekistan U23 at 6:35 PM on November 18th. To win the championship, Vietnam U23 needs to fulfill the necessary condition: defeat South Korea U23 to secure 3 points, then wait for a favorable outcome in the match between China U23 and Uzbekistan U23.

The last time they met in an official tournament, Vietnam U23 drew 1-1 against South Korea U23 (2022 AFC U23 Championship). Earlier this year, also in a friendly tournament in China, Vietnam U23 led 1-0 against South Korea U23 until the final minute, before ultimately losing in a disappointing match.

"The South Korean U23 team is high-quality, moves a lot, and has good speed. The Vietnamese U23 team plays more organized, maintains their formation, and improves the quality of their final touches. At the same time, we will continue to give opportunities to players who need more playing time," acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh assessed.

Vietnam U23 is gradually improving with each match.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Vietnam U23 will have to brace themselves against the intense pressing and quick, aggressive tackles of South Korea U23 (who may play even more aggressively than Uzbekistan U23). The defense also needs to stay focused against the aerial attacks of South Korea's very strong forwards.

However, the Vietnam U23 team was mentally prepared. After two intense matches, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team was "heating up".

The Vietnam U23 team will play their best to spring a surprise against one of Asia's top youth teams. This is an important step in preparing for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

STARTING LINEUP

FIRST HALF BEGINS!

GOAL!

END OF FIRST HALF!

SECOND HALF BEGINS!

THE MATCH IS OVER!

Vietnam U23 team determined to win.

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