U.23 Vietnam 2-1 U.23 Philippines: Winning ticket to the final for the third consecutive time

The Vietnam U23 team won against the Philippines U23 with a score of 2-1 in the semi-final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament taking place at 4:00 p.m. today (July 25) in Indonesia, to participate in the final match for the third time.

U.23 Vietnam took the field with the strongest lineup

The starting lineup of U.23 Vietnam in the semi-final match against U.23 Philippines (4 p.m. today, July 25) has been revealed. Standing in the goal is still the number 1 goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien. The HAGL goalkeeper has started 2 group stage matches, conceding 1 goal. In the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, coach Kim Sang-sik has absolute trust in Trung Kien. This is an understandable decision of Mr. Kim, as Trung Kien is a well-rounded goalkeeper, with ideal height (1.91 m), experience and reliability.

In defense, the three central defenders are familiar names: Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Nhat Minh and Pham Ly Duc. The defense of U.23 Vietnam is playing effectively, especially in scoring when Hieu Minh has scored 2 goals, and Ly Duc has scored 1 goal in the group stage. On the two wings, Vo Anh Quan and Nguyen Phi Hoang are the number 1 priority.

Semi-final U.23 Vietnam - U.23 Philippines: No room for mistakes

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U.23 Vietnam (left) is rated higher than U.23 Philippines in the semi-final match.

PHOTO: NGUYEN KHANG

The midfield has the presence of Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Xuan Bac and Nguyen Cong Phuong. Thus, young talent Cong Phuong has had his first starting match for U.23 Vietnam in this year's tournament.

As for the attack, Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac were arranged to start. Dinh Bac returned from injury to strengthen the attack.

With the 3-5-2 formation, U.23 Vietnam will aim for control, cautious play and limit mistakes against the opponent U.23 Philippines who is good at counter-attacking.

Determined to reach the final

Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed before the semi-final match: "The strength of U.23 Philippines is defensive counter-attacks with players number 7 and number 20, which are very dangerous. The defenders of the U.23 Vietnam team need to be very focused to lock down these players. U.23 Malaysia also played well but did not achieve good results. The teams in the semi-finals such as U.23 Indonesia, U.23 Vietnam, U.23 Thailand, U.23 Philippines are all equally strong at this time."

On the other hand, coach Garrath McPherson shared: "The situation of the U.23 Philippines team is still fine. In the group stage, we played 3 matches and had 1 day to rest. We are supported by the whole country so we feel very happy before the semi-final match.

Initially, we were among the teams that were not highly rated. However, we played more unitedly, played better with each match. It was great to be in the semi-finals. The players love their country, love this sport . They know that they are receiving great support from their home country. I am also very happy with what we have achieved up to this point."

U.23 Vietnam is on a 10-match unbeaten streak in the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament (8 wins, 2 draws), despite having to face evenly matched opponents in the past 3 years such as U.23 Thailand, U.23 Indonesia or U.23 Malaysia.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-0-0-u23-philippines-thay-tro-hlv-kim-sang-sik-gianh-ve-vao-chung-ket-185250725150054766.htm