Indonesia, 22 July, 2025 – U23 Vietnam are on the brink of securing a place in the semifinals of the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship following a commanding 3-0 victory over U23 Laos in their opening match. The result puts coach Kim Sang Sik’s side in a favorable position in Group B as they prepare for their final group-stage clash against U23 Cambodia.
After the loss to Vietnam, U23 Laos have officially been eliminated from the tournament. As a result, the battle for the sole semifinal ticket from Group B is now between U23 Vietnam and U23 Cambodia. Vietnam currently lead the group with three points, while Cambodia have one point after drawing with Laos earlier in the competition.
With a one-point advantage, U23 Vietnam only need a draw against Cambodia to finish top of the group and advance to the semifinals. On the other hand, Cambodia must defeat the reigning champions to secure qualification.
On paper, U23 Vietnam are considered superior in terms of squad strength. Coach Kim Sang Sik boasts a roster filled with experienced players, many of whom are current V-League regulars and members of the squad that won the previous edition of the tournament.
In their opening match, U23 Vietnam showcased complete control over U23 Laos and secured a convincing 3-0 win. However, despite the scoreline, there were areas of concern for the Vietnamese side. The team struggled with misplaced passes and occasionally allowed their opponents space to counterattack.
Another issue lies in the attacking line, which has yet to hit top form. Notably, all three goals against Laos involved defenders, indicating that the forwards still need to find their rhythm. This is an area coach Kim Sang Sik will need to address if Vietnam are to successfully defend their title.
Although a draw is sufficient to progress, U23 Vietnam are unlikely to adopt a cautious approach. Instead, they are expected to push forward aggressively from the start and apply pressure on U23 Cambodia. However, they must remain disciplined, as Cambodia are regarded as more organized and dangerous on the counterattack than Laos.
Should Cambodia manage to score first, the match could become significantly more challenging for Vietnam. Nevertheless, with greater squad depth and tactical flexibility, the defending champions are well-positioned to secure victory and finish top of Group B.
The decisive match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Cambodia is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM tonight, July 22.
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