U22 China creates an earthquake, U22 Vietnam competes for the championship tensely

The second round of the Panda Cup friendly match in Chengdu took place yesterday (November 15) with many remarkable developments. Despite their best efforts, U22 Vietnam still accepted defeat with a score of 0-1 against U22 Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, the host team U22 China created an earthquake when they defeated U22 Korea with a score of 2-0.

U22 Trung Quốc tạo địa chấn, U22 Việt Nam đua vô địch căng thẳng - 1 — U22 Vietnam lost to U22 Uzbekistan (Photo: UFA).

Thus, the two teams that lost in the first round, U22 China (lost 0-1 to U22 Vietnam) and U22 Uzbekistan (lost 0-2 to U22 Korea), both won in the second round. This created an extremely unpredictable situation in the race for the 2025 Panda Cup championship.

Accordingly, after two matches, all four teams U22 China, U22 Korea, U22 Vietnam and U22 Uzbekistan have 3 points. In which, the host U22 China is at the top of the table with a goal difference of +1. The two teams U22 Vietnam and U22 Korea both have a goal difference of 0, but U22 Korea is ranked higher thanks to scoring more goals. U22 Uzbekistan is at the bottom with a goal difference of -1.

That means the opportunity to win the championship is open to all 4 teams in the final match. For U22 Vietnam alone, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team will be crowned if they defeat U22 Korea with a larger difference than the remaining match between U22 China and U22 Uzbekistan (if the winner is determined).

In case the match between U22 China and U22 Uzbekistan ends in a draw, U22 Vietnam will be the champion if they beat U22 Korea with any score.

According to tournament rules, in case two teams are equal on points, goal difference will be the first factor considered.

U22 Trung Quốc tạo địa chấn, U22 Việt Nam đua vô địch căng thẳng - 2 — U22 Vietnam will win the championship if they beat U22 Korea in the final match and have the best goal difference among the four teams (Photo: UFA).

Winning against U22 Korea is also the only way for U22 Vietnam to win the championship. If they draw or lose to the Korean team, coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his team will not be able to win the championship.

In the context of the recent defeat of U22 Korea against U22 China, it can be seen that coach Lee Min Sung's team is not an impossible challenge for U22 Vietnam. In the friendly tournament in Yancheng (Jiangsu) last March, U22 Vietnam had a regrettable draw with a score of 1-1 against U22 Korea when Thanh Nhan scored the opening goal.

The match between U22 Vietnam and U22 Korea will take place at 2:30 p.m. on November 18. Then, at 6:35 p.m., U22 China will face U22 Uzbekistan.