Chinese media comments on Vietnam U23 in their plan to conquer the Asiad

Significantly, the young team of the most populous nation is also determined to overcome Vietnam U23 again should the two sides face each other in the near future.

After securing the runner-up position at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, Coach Antonio Puche’s squad is considered one of the most improved youth teams in Chinese football in recent years. This achievement laid the foundation for the Chinese Football Association to boldly set a goal for the Asian Games in Japan this September, aiming specifically to finish in the top three overall.

Chinese media noted that to realize the ambition of winning a medal at the Asiad, China U23 needs to maintain consistent performance and adopt a reasonable game strategy right from the first round. One highlighted factor by the press is avoiding an early encounter with South Korea U23. According to Titan Sports, the Korean team is highly motivated at the Asiad because winning gold would exempt players from military service, promising a strong squad and fierce fighting spirit.

Alongside setting goals, China U23 has also developed a detailed preparation plan. It is expected that in March, while the senior national team plays friendlies against Curacao and Cameroon, the U23 team will train separately to maintain their training rhythm. This is seen as a crucial step to ensure continuity in coaching without interruption from the senior team’s schedule.

According to revelations from Sina, China U23 will participate in an international friendly tournament during this period featuring three invited teams: Vietnam U23, Thailand U23, and either Uzbekistan or South Korea U23. All participating teams took part in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, so the tournament’s quality is highly regarded and serves as an important test before the Asiad.

Importantly, Chinese media particularly recalled China U23’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam U23 in the semifinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Sina commented that Vietnam U23 will surely seek revenge after this defeat, while China U23 is required to continue winning to affirm their rising position and strength in the region.

However, China U23’s preparation journey is not entirely smooth. The biggest challenge comes from the squad issue as Coach Shao Jiayi confirmed prioritizing the call-up of the best young players for the senior national team at the same time. This likely means China U23 will not have their strongest lineup for the March training camp, posing a significant challenge for the coaching staff in personnel review and tactical development.

Despite many obstacles, the determination to win an Asiad medal alongside the ambition to keep surpassing Vietnam U23 shows that China U23 has set very clear targets and is ready to enter a critical preparation phase for the continent’s biggest multi-sport event.