On the evening of 20/1, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, China displayed defensive solidity, despite making six changes from their quarterfinal lineup. Coach Antonio Puche's team also showed attacking prowess, scoring two consecutive goals from the 47th to 52nd minutes through Peng Xiao and Xiang Yuwang. Wang Yudong then sealed the 3-0 victory in the 8th minute of added time.

Coach Kim Sang-sik acknowledged he had anticipated China would rotate their squad, as players were fatigued after playing their fifth match in 13 days. However, the game still unfolded beyond his control.

Coach Kim Sang-sik at a press conference during the u23 Asia 2026 finals in Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFC

"Despite that, I believe both my players and I should have been able to respond," Coach Kim Sang-sik stated. "Our failure to cope today is my fault as head coach."

The South Korean tactician noted that football requires meticulous planning before each match, yet executing those plans perfectly is often challenging. "I was not satisfied with the players' pressing and passing in the first half. In the second half, we devised a plan for a comeback, but player injuries and a lapse in concentration during set pieces led to us falling behind," Coach Kim explained.

Nguyen Nhat Minh's injury, forcing him off the field in the 30th minute, was an unexpected turning point for Vietnam. In the second half, Vietnam brought on Nguyen Dinh Bac as usual, but before he could settle in, Peng Xiao scored a header from a corner kick in the 46th minute.

Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that Hieu Minh's absence left his team's plans incomplete. He also commended the opponent's performance. "China played well and deserved to reach the final," he said. "Currently, all Asian teams are developing quite evenly. China also showed high concentration in defense."

Coach Kim thanked his players for fighting until the very end, even after Pham Ly Duc received a red card in the 74th minute. Despite the loss, he believes the players demonstrated their growth, progress, and competitive ability at the Asian level.

Throughout the press conference, Coach Kim Sang-sik maintained a calm demeanor, not allowing emotions to overtake him. He emphasized that the semifinal defeat is not the end for Vietnam, especially with a third-place playoff match against South Korea, who lost 0-1 to Japan. He urged his players to maintain their spirit to deliver a good performance before leaving Saudi Arabia.

"Vietnam always faces teams with superior physical strength," Kim stated. "Individually, Vietnamese players may not stand out significantly. However, when they have a collective spirit and unite as one, we can advance to the final days of the tournament."

The third-place playoff match will take place at 22:00 on 23/1. One day later, the final between Japan and China will also be held at 22:00.

Hieu Luong