Korean soccer suffered the humiliation of losing to China as a reality.
Kim Sang-sik's Vietnam U23 national team lost 0-3 to China in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semifinal held at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of the 21st (Korea time). China advanced to its first-ever final and will face Japan.
Vietnam, relegated to the third-place match, will meet Korea at midnight on the 24th after Korea's 0-1 loss to Japan to compete for the bronze medal. Kim Sang-sik will face an unwanted head-to-head with Korea. China, which reached its first final in history, will challenge for the title against Asia's strongest team, Japan.
China used a 4-4-2 formation. Vietnam responded with an extremely defensive 5-4-1 emphasizing numbers at the back. As expected, China controlled possession and led the attack while Vietnam focused on defense.
China failed to convert a one-on-one chance with the Vietnam goalkeeper in the 14th minute of the first half. Vietnam also launched counterattacks. In particular, Vietnam produced a sharp free kick in the 24th minute of the first half. Each time, China goalkeeper Li Hao made notable saves.
An unexpected incident occurred. In the 28th minute of the first half, Vietnam defender Hieu Minh injured his knee while making a tackle. He was eventually carried off on a stretcher and substituted.
In the first half China held 63% possession and led in shots 4-3. But Vietnam had more shots on target, 2-0. The first half ended scoreless.
China opened the scoring. In the 2nd minute of the second half, center back Feng Xiao headed in a corner-kick delivery that rippled the net. China led 1-0.
China put the match beyond reach. In the 7th minute of the second half, Xiang Yuwang struck a diagonal turning shot with his left foot from the center of the box that found the net. Leading 2-0, China firmly seized control of the game.
Leading 2-0, China committed blatant fouls. Players lay down on the field to waste time. A frustrated Vietnam complained, but China was imperious.
Vietnam collapsed. In the 28th minute of the second half, Feng Xiao's shoulder-flicked ball from a free kick resulted in a fortunate goal. After a video review, offside was called and the goal was disallowed.
But as the goal was scored, Vietnam defender Pham Li Duc struck a Chinese player. Pham Li Duc was ultimately sent off. Already two goals down, Vietnam played the remainder with 10 men. In stoppage time Wang Weidong added another goal for China.
In the end Vietnam failed to score and lost. Vietnam will face Korea at midnight on the 24th for third place. China will challenge for the title against Japan at midnight on the 25th.
[OSEN]