China's U23 team enters the semi-final against Vietnam's U23 team facing a difficult personnel dilemma, as midfielder Yang Haoyu is certain to miss the match due to accumulating two yellow cards.
This is a consequence of the aggressive style of play that coach Antonio Puche's team was forced to adopt against Uzbekistan U23 in the quarter-finals.
Yang Haoyu is an important player for the Chinese U23 team - Photo: AFC
Before the match against Uzbekistan U23, China U23 had already received eight yellow cards. According to AFC regulations, cards are only cleared after the quarter-finals, putting many players in the "high-risk" group.
In a tight defensive formation, Yang Haoyu inevitably received cards, reaching two yellow cards and resulting in a suspension for the semi-final.
Yang Haoyu's absence is a significant loss, as the 19-year-old midfielder is a crucial link in the midfield. He has started all four matches since the beginning of the tournament, often partnering with Li Zhenquan to control the tempo.
Vietnam U23 has an advantage over China U23 - Photo: Ted Tran
At the club level, Yang Haoyu also has a solid foundation, having played 22 matches and scored 3 goals for Shanghai Shenhua last season.
On the other side of the battlefield, the Vietnam U23 team entered the semi-finals with a clear advantage. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team had an extra day of rest and a nearly optimal squad, as the players who had previously received warnings had their cards cleared.
The clash at 10:30 PM on January 20th is therefore all the more noteworthy, given that one side needs to patch up its midfield, while the other is in peak condition.
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Watch the entire 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Finals on TV360 at https://tv360.vn
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u23-trung-quoc-ton-that-nang-truc-tran-ban-ket-voi-u23-viet-nam-2482848.html
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