In a behind-closed-doors friendly match designed to ensure focused tactical preparation, the Vietnamese U22 team delivered an emphatic performance, defeating Chinese Taipei U22 5-0.

This dominant display served as the perfect warm-up for their title defense campaign in the 2025 AFF U23 Championship.

Held without spectators or media coverage, the match allowed both coaching staffs to experiment and assess their squads discreetly.

With a noticeable gap in quality, head coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad controlled proceedings with ease. Viet Kieu midfielder Viktor Le, along with familiar faces such as Phi Hoang, Van Truong, Quoc Viet, and Van Thuan, all found the back of the net, turning the match into a goal-scoring showcase.

The final scoreline reflected the Red Warriors' superiority and provided the coaching staff with a valuable opportunity to evaluate player integration and test tactical plans ahead of the regional tournament.

According to the schedule, Vietnam U22 will play another friendly against Chinese Taipei U22 on July 4. This final preparatory match will help the coaching team finalize squad selection and tactical arrangements before the team departs for Indonesia.

The 2025 AFF U23 Championship will be held from July 15 to 31 and will feature 10 teams divided into three groups. Vietnam has been drawn into Group B alongside familiar rivals Laos and Cambodia.

Teams will play in a round-robin format, with the three group winners and the best-performing runner-up advancing to the semifinals.

As reigning champions, having lifted the trophy in both 2022 and 2023, Vietnam U22 is aiming for a third consecutive title. Their first test will be against Laos on July 19, followed by a clash with Cambodia on July 22.

Dai Nam