Analysis of Vietnam U23 vs North Korea U23 (14:00, March 25). Prediction of the result, expected lineup, expert analysis of the match between Vietnam U23 and North Korea U23 in the CFA Team China 2026 international friendly.
Vietnam U23 enters the CFA Team China 2026 friendly in Xi'an (China) with a fresh look under the guidance of interim head coach Dinh Hong Vinh. This is a crucial transitional period as the team begins building a framework for the ASIAD scheduled for September in Japan. Following the remarkable success of the SEA Games 33 Gold Medal and the fourth-place finish at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, expectations for this squad are very high.
Vietnam U23 currently retains only a few players from the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, such as Cao Van Binh, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Le Van Thuận, and Pham Dinh Hai. It can be said that the current composition of Vietnam U23 is almost entirely new.

On the other side, North Korea U23 remains an intriguing "unknown" in Asian football. After a long period of limited participation in international competitions, their return is noteworthy. The characteristic style of North Korean football is based on robust physical fitness, strict discipline, and highly disruptive high-pressing tactics.
Although there is not much information about their current squad, historical encounters favor North Korea U23, as they have previously defeated Vietnam in major tournaments like the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2020 and ASIAD 2010. North Korea U23 will certainly be a test for coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his team in their opening match at CFA Team China 2026.

Vietnam U23 squad list
Vietnam U23: The call-up includes four players from the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026: Cao Van Binh, Pham Dinh Hai, Le Van Thuận, and Nguyen Cong Phuong. Overseas Vietnamese players Tran Thanh Trung (Ninh Binh) and Nguyen Vadim (Da Nang) are ready to debut. The squad also features many promising young talents such as Dinh Quang Kiet, Le Nguyen Hoang, Le Dinh Long Vu, and Thai Ba Dat.
North Korea U23: The squad consists of many promising young players trained under a long-term centralized system. Their playstyle relies on teamwork and tactical discipline, not dependent on individual stars.
23/01/26: Vietnam U23 2-2 South Korea U23 (AFC U23 Asian Cup - Vietnam won on penalties)
20/01/26: Vietnam U23 0-3 China U23 (AFC U23 Asian Cup)
16/01/26: Vietnam U23 3-2 UAE U23
12/01/26: Saudi Arabia U23 0-1 Vietnam U23 (AFC U23 Asian Cup)
09/01/26: Kyrgyzstan U23 1-2 Vietnam U23 (AFC U23 Asian Cup)
01/10/23: Japan U23 2-1 North Korea U23 (ASIAD)
27/09/23: North Korea U23 2-0 Bahrain U23 (ASIAD)
24/09/23: North Korea U23 1-0 Indonesia U23 (ASIAD)
21/09/23: Kyrgyzstan U23 0-1 North Korea U23 (ASIAD)
19/09/23: North Korea U23 2-0 Taiwan U23 (ASIAD)
16/01/20: Vietnam U23 1-2 North Korea U23 (AFC U23 Asian Cup)
16/11/10: North Korea U23 2-0 Vietnam U23 (ASIAD)