Chengdu, 18 November 2025 – Vietnam U22 national team wrapped up their appearance at the friendly U22 Panda Cup in China today, falling 0-1 to South Korea in the final match. The tournament served as a crucial warm-up for the upcoming SEA Games 33.
Acting Head Coach Dinh Hong Vinh chose not to pursue the tournament trophy, instead opting for an experimental approach. The coach made extensive changes, fielding a starting lineup with eight new faces who had minimal playing time together in the previous matches (a 1-0 win over China and a 0-1 loss to Uzbekistan).
The lack of cohesion proved challenging for the Vietnamese side. The experimental defense, featuring Le Van Ha, Nguyen Duc Anh, and Dang Tuan Phong, struggled to contain the Korean attacks, leaving goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien frequently exposed. Vietnam was restricted primarily to defensive maneuvers and ineffective counter-attacks.
The decisive moment came in the 32nd minute. Following a well-executed free-kick routine on the left flank, Kang Seong-jin delivered a cross that was met by striker Kim Myeong-jun, whose header found the back of the net to secure the 1-0 victory for South Korea.
The most concerning development occurred late in the game. In the 77th minute, captain and Hanoi FC midfielder Nguyen Van Truong sustained a serious knee injury. After being stretchered off and with no substitutions remaining, Vietnam was forced to play the final quarter of an hour with only ten men, eliminating any realistic chance of an equalizer.
Early medical reports indicate Van Truong’s injury is complex, involving potential damage to multiple parts of his right knee, including ligaments and cartilage, with a suspected partial tear of the ACL. The team’s medical staff is awaiting an MRI to determine the full extent of the damage and estimate his recovery timeline.
The loss marks another chapter in Vietnam’s difficult history against South Korea at this level, where they remain winless (three draws and seven losses overall since 2006).
Following the tournament, the U22 squad will immediately return to Vietnam to establish their training base in Vung Tau/Ho Chi Minh City for final preparations. Head Coach Kim Sang-sik is set to resume control of the U22 team after concluding his duties with the senior national side in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
U22 Vietnam will travel to Thailand for the SEA Games 33 tournament, which kicks off on December 2.
Hai Nam
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