Center-back Pham Ly Duc celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 victory against Cambodia in the group stage of the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, 22/7/2025 at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Hai Tu

Center-back Pham Ly Duc celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 victory against Cambodia in the group stage of the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, 22/7/2025 at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Hai Tu

*Vietnam - Philippines: 4 p.m. Friday 25/7, on VnExpress.

In Group B, Vietnam defeated Laos 3-0 and Cambodia 2-1. With 43 shots, the team boasts the highest average shots per game in the tournament (21.5). However, against two supposedly weaker opponents, coach Kim Sang-sik's side has clearly not met expectations.

Vietnam's shot accuracy is 32.5%, but the conversion rate is only 11.6%—barely better than Thailand's (11.1%). Three of their five goals came from set pieces. The fact that center-backs contributed three goals, while midfielders and forwards each scored one, highlights issues in the attack. Coach Kim has frequently expressed his frustration with missed opportunities.

Some suggest Vietnam hasn't played at full strength. This could be due to Coach Kim's long-term strategy. He admitted to feeling immense pressure to secure a hat-trick of titles after Vietnam's consecutive wins in 2022 and 2023. Against weaker opponents, the South Korean coach experimented with lineups and positions, seeking the optimal combination for crucial matches.

Coach Kim Sang-sik analyzes formations and playing styles to determine the best players for the U23 Asian Championship semi-final against the Philippines. Photo: Anh Khoa

Coach Kim Sang-sik analyzes formations and playing styles to determine the best players for the U23 Asian Championship semi-final against the Philippines. Photo: Anh Khoa

The answer will come today, as his players face a well-organized Philippines side employing a 5-4-1 formation under coach Garrath McPherson. In the group stage, they upset Malaysia 2-0 and narrowly lost 0-1 to hosts Indonesia. This wasn't due to poor attacking from their opponents, but rather the Philippines' disciplined and resilient defense.

The Philippines also boasts dangerous attackers Otu Bisong Banatao and Javier Alessandro Mariona, two of seven players on the team who play overseas. Banatao, who plays for Old Dominion University in the US, impressed with a brace against Malaysia. Mariona plays for AV Alta, also in the US. Coach Kim specifically highlighted these two players in the pre-match press conference.

Coach McPherson has more than just these two players. Other players with international experience like Inigo Castro (Spain), Noah Leddel (US), Jax Pena (US), and John Lecero (Thailand), while not exceptionally skilled, demonstrate composure and tactical awareness. Combined with the local players, they pose a threat to Vietnam's defense.

Vietnamese players during an afternoon training session on 24/7 at the auxiliary field next to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, preparing for the semi-final match against the Philippines this afternoon, 25/7. Photo: Anh Khoa

Vietnamese players during an afternoon training session on 24/7 at the auxiliary field next to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, preparing for the semi-final match against the Philippines this afternoon, 25/7. Photo: Anh Khoa

Vietnam is undefeated against the Philippines at the U23 level for the past 11 years. In this tournament, Vietnam beat the Philippines 2-1 in 2019 and 1-0 in 2023, both in the group stage. But past victories mean little if the team doesn't approach each match as a final, as Coach Kim emphasizes.

Center-back Pham Ly Duc's return to training is a boost for Vietnam. His presence strengthens the defense and adds another option for set pieces. Standing at 1.82 m, the Tay Ninh native is a threat in aerial duels. He scored a header from a corner against Cambodia.

Nguyen Thai Son is likely to join Nguyen Van Truong and Vo Anh Quan in midfield, with Nguyen Dinh Bac returning to the starting lineup alongside Nguyen Quoc Viet. Dinh Bac is known for his skill, speed, and game-changing abilities. He came off the bench to score the winning goal against Cambodia.

The 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship is taking place from 15/7 to 31/7 in Indonesia. The semi-final matchups are Vietnam vs. Philippines and Indonesia vs. Thailand. This is the fourth consecutive time Vietnam has reached the semi-finals.

Predicted lineups:

Vietnam: Tran Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Duc Anh, Nhat Minh, Van Truong, Anh Quan, Thai Son, Van Khang, Phi Hoang, Quoc Viet, Dinh Bac.

Philippines: Guimaraes, Caraig, Rosquillo, Villanueva, Taningco, Lucero, Muens, Mariona, Carino, Bisong, Reyes Dalapo.

Duc Dong