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Ukrainian site Tips labels Vietnam as the favorite, highlighting the squad’s impressive ability to “consistently score goals while maintaining defensive discipline.”

Vietnam found the net in all four matches, defeating Jordan (2-0), Kyrgyzstan (2-1), and Saudi Arabia (1-0) in the group stage and the UAE (3-2) in the quarterfinals, tallying eight goals while conceding three.

In contrast, China have relied on a tight defense, drawing three matches 0-0 and won just one (1-0 against Australia), reaching the semifinals with only a goal scored and zero conceded.

Statistical data shows Vietnam average 10.5 shots per game compared to China’s 5.5, and boast a superior passing accuracy of 79% against China’s 72%.

Tips notes that while China play a “physical, highly competitive game and capable of absorbing pressure,” their high foul count (55 in the last five matches) poses a risk against a Vietnam side that is “very dangerous in set-piece plays.”

The outlet predicts Vietnam’s midfield, led by Nguyen Thai Son and Khuat Van Khang, will control the tempo, concluding that Vietnam will “win by at least one goal and even keep a clean sheet.”

Livescore reached a similar conclusion purely through data, arguing that Vietnam’s perfect winning record makes them the logical choice over a Chinese side that have drawn three out of their four matches.

Indonesian outlet Gunungkidul also leans toward Vietnam and forecasts a 1-0 win for the Southeast Asian team, praising their’s composure and ability to score decisive late goals.

Chinese media remains defiant. On Theirsformer national player Xu Liang stated: “I’ve studied Vietnam and watched their game with the UAE. Today’s match won’t be 0-0 anymore. China could win 1-0 or 2-0.”

Commentator Dong Lu added that China are capable of controlling the game, arguing that “playing against Uzbekistan is even harder than against Vietnam.”

Chinese news site 163 framed the match as a clash between “the spear and the shield”. Vietnam, the tournament’s “biggest dark horse”, played a high-pressure 3-4-3 formation against China’s solid 5-3-2 that has kept a clean sheet for 390 minutes.

The newspaper alo acknowledged China’s scoring struggles and predicted a low-scoring draw in regular time. Although Vietnam holds the advantage in extra time due to having better stamina, 163 stated that “if the two teams go to the penalty shootout, China has a 60% chance of winning.”

The Vietnam and China match will start at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Hanoi time, and will be reported live by Read International.