AFC U23 Asian Cup
While Vietnam are seeking to go all the way after finishing runners-up in 2018, China PR are featuring in the semi-finals for the first time but will have the psychological advantage of not having lost to their Southeast Asian opponents in three previous meetings.
Goalkeeper Trung Kien said Vietnam are fully focused and ready to execute head coach Kim Sang-sik’s plans.
“The whole team are in very good spirits and determined to advance to the final,” said Trung Kien, who plays his club football with Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
“I will play using all my abilities and with full concentration. Every match is different but staying focused is not a problem for us.”
“The whole team are in very good spirits and determined to advance to the final,” said Trung Kien, who plays his club football with Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
“I will play using all my abilities and with full concentration. Every match is different but staying focused is not a problem for us.”
Trung Kien said he is looking forward to facing Li Hao, with the China PR custodian having turned heads with his sparkling performances at Saudi Arabia 2026.
“I think for a goalkeeper to play through four matches and still keep a clean sheet is a remarkable achievement. I believe he is a very good and well-rounded goalkeeper with all the necessary skills.
“However, we will give 100 percent to win for the people of Vietnam.”
“I think for a goalkeeper to play through four matches and still keep a clean sheet is a remarkable achievement. I believe he is a very good and well-rounded goalkeeper with all the necessary skills.
“However, we will give 100 percent to win for the people of Vietnam.”
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Liu, however, said China PR are not ready to end their journey after having advanced to the knockout stage for the first time.
“We are excited about the match and we will give it our all on the field,” said the Zhejiang FC defender. “I’m not particularly worried (about Vietnam), because our defence has always been very solid. The defence and Li Hao have been very reliable.”
“We are excited about the match and we will give it our all on the field,” said the Zhejiang FC defender. “I’m not particularly worried (about Vietnam), because our defence has always been very solid. The defence and Li Hao have been very reliable.”
Called off the bench against Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals, Liu showed his value by confidently converting the first penalty in the shootout.
“I wasn’t nervous. After extra time, the head coach asked who wanted to take the first penalty, and I volunteered. I had practiced penalties in training, so I focused on striking the ball to one corner without any fancy tricks, and that’s exactly what I did.
“I consider pressure as motivation. There’s nothing holding us back and we will give our all.”
“I wasn’t nervous. After extra time, the head coach asked who wanted to take the first penalty, and I volunteered. I had practiced penalties in training, so I focused on striking the ball to one corner without any fancy tricks, and that’s exactly what I did.
“I consider pressure as motivation. There’s nothing holding us back and we will give our all.”
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