In a thrilling encounter at the CFA Under-16 International Tournament in Hohhot, the Chinese mainland side and Vietnam battled to a 2-2 draw, showcasing youth talent and dramatic twists before a packed crowd.
The Chinese mainland side took early control when Liang Shiyu latched onto a loose ball in the 12th minute, firing home a clinical finish past the Vietnamese keeper. Five minutes later, winger Wan Xiang doubled the lead with a smart tap-in, capitalizing on a low cross from Zhang Xuyao.
Vietnam responded with vigor. Just two minutes into the second half, Nguyen Luc whipped in a dangerous free-kick that found Van Duong, who rose highest to head the deficit down to 2-1 and shift momentum.
The hosts were then reduced to 10 men when Zhang Junhao saw red for a reckless stamp, forcing China into a defensive reshuffle. This set the stage for a nail-biting finale.
With the clock ticking into the 85th minute, Vietnam’s Sy Bach unleashed a spectacular curling strike from near the byline, catching goalkeeper Li Qifu off-guard and restoring parity at 2-2.
The drama didn’t end there: stoppage-time saw Vietnam’s Tri Dung also sent off, leaving both teams to finish with 10 players each. The result keeps both sides unbeaten heading into their next fixtures; China will face Australia on Sunday.
As young stars from two G20 nations collide on the pitch, this match proved that at the youth level, passion and resilience can deliver unforgettable moments. Fans will be watching closely to see which team can maintain momentum in the tournament.
Reference(s):
China and Vietnam battle to 2-2 draw at U16 tournament in Hohhot
cgtn.com
