Vietnam's U23 team suffered a 0-3 defeat to China in the U23 Asian 2026 semifinals on the evening of 20/1 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. Following the match, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, representing Vietnam in an interview with the organizers, appeared visibly upset, with red-rimmed eyes.

"China played completely differently from their previous matches. They played tightly and finished sharply, deservedly winning", Vietnam's goalkeeper stated.

Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien seemed on the verge of tears while being interviewed after Vietnam's 0-3 loss to China in the U23 Asian 2026 semifinals on the evening of 20/1. Photo: Ted Tran

This sentiment came despite Vietnam entering the match highly rated, having won all four previous games against strong opponents like Jordan, Arab Saudi, and UAE. China, in contrast, was considered a "dark horse", reaching the semifinals with only one goal – an unprecedented feat in U23 Asian history.

However, China largely dominated the semifinal clash, showcasing superior physical condition. Their advantage grew significantly after Vietnam lost key defender Nguyen Hieu Minh due to injury. The East Asian team then became even more dominant, scoring two goals in the opening minutes of the second half through Peng Xiao and then Xiang Yuwang. In the 8th minute of added time, substitute Wang Yudong sealed the victory for China.

Despite the scoreline, Trung Kien was largely blameless for the goals conceded. He made excellent saves from close-range shots by Chinese players near the end of the second half, preventing Vietnam from suffering a heavier defeat.

This loss meant Trung Kien and his teammates could not replicate the feat of their predecessors who reached the Changzhou 2018 final. Nevertheless, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team still have a chance to win a medal when they face Korea in the third-place match on friday 23/1. "We will quickly recover, regain fitness and form to win the next match", the HAGL Club goalkeeper added.

Following the match, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac quickly posted an apology to fans on his personal page for not reaching the final. The striker from Nghe An was brought on in the second half but appeared to still be injured, preventing him from showcasing his strength, speed, and sharp finishing.

The Korea - Vietnam match will take place at 22h on friday 24/1, Hanoi time.

Duc Dong