MANDIRI CUP™ 2025 – REPORT: VIETNAM 2-1 PHILIPPINES

The Philippines were appearing in the ASEAN U-23 Championship semi-finals for the first time and after absorbing strong pressure early on, they took the lead when Javier Mariona fired home from close range in the 36th minute.

However, Nguyễn Đình Bắc restored parity before half-time and Xuân Bắc got the winning goal early in the second half as Vietnam reached the final of ASEAN’s leading youth competition for a third consecutive time.

They will meet the winners of the other semi-final between hosts Indonesia and former winners Thailand in next Tuesday’s final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Vietnam were in the ascendancy early on with Nico Guimarães called into action after only 17 seconds as the Philippines goalkeeper cut off Võ Anh Quân’s low cross before it could reach a charging Đình Bắc.

Vietnam were twice denied by the woodwork in the opening 11 minutes as Đình Bắc saw his snap shot come back off the left upright before Anh Quân struck the base of the right post with a right-footed effort.

After weathering the early pressure, the Philippines took the lead when Vietnam struggled to clear their lines after a long throw-in by Jian Caraig. The ball was lofted into the box and knocked down by Noah Leddel for Mariona, who beat Nguyễn Hiểu Minh to the ball in the six-yard box before turning it in with his left foot.

However, Vietnam were back on level terms in the 41st minute, thanks to the quick reaction of Đình Bắc. The forward saw his header off Nguyễn Phi Hoàng’s cross come back off the inside of the right post, but he got to the loose ball first and bundled it home for his second goal in as many games following his winner in the 2-1 victory over Cambodia last Tuesday.

He should have had his third goal of the tournament just a minute later, but after he was sent clear by Nguyen Công Phuong, he shot wide of the target with only Guimarães to beat.

Vietnam kept up the pressure after the break and Công Phuong nearly put them ahead in the 52nd minute with a firm header which forced an excellent diving save from Guimarães.

However, the Philippines goalkeeper was left helpless two minutes later when Phi Hoàng’s cross from the left found Xuân Bắc who sent a looping header just past the fingertips of Guimarães into the top right corner of the net.

The Philippines were unable to find a response and Lê Văn Thuận should have got a third goal for his side when he was found in the box by Phi Hoàng but turned his effort wastefully wide.

Deep into stoppage time, Nguyễn Quốc Việt bore down on the Philippines goal but he was denied a shot after a foul on the edge of the box by Noah Leddel, who received a red card.

Mandiri Player of the Match – Nguyễn Xuân Bắc (#12), Vietnam