Xi’an, 25 March 2026 – Coach Dinh Hong Vinh praised the determination and effort of U23 Vietnam (mainly U21 players) after they were held to a disappointing draw against U23 DPR Korea in their opening match of the CFA Team China – Xi’an 2026 tournament.
U23 Vietnam, built largely around players born between 2005 and 2007, began the tournament with a mixed lineup featuring both key players and several new faces.
The young squad started confidently and gained early momentum with an opening goal in the 6th minute from Nguyen Minh Tam, the Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker scoring on his debut for U23 Vietnam.
Despite missing several clear chances and conceding an equalizer in the second half, the team—after making multiple changes—maintained a solid performance and secured a point.
After the match, coach Dinh Hong Vinh said:
“We approached the game with great determination. Even though most of the squad are U21 players, they followed the tactical plan well and controlled the game from the early minutes.
Minh Tam’s goal was very important. It showed the confidence and composure of a young player, while also giving the team a strong psychological advantage against a tough opponent. It was the result of good teamwork and sharp finishing inside the box.”
According to the schedule, U23 Vietnam will have two more training sessions in Xi’an before facing U23 Thailand at 14:00 (Vietnam time) on March 28.
They will then conclude the tournament with a crucial match against hosts U23 China at 18:35 on March 31, almost at the same time as the Vietnam national team’s decisive clash with Malaysia in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
VSN/RPT
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