Vietnam was considered the underdog against South Korea. However, the team repeatedly overcame challenges at King Abdullah stadium in Saudi Arabia on the evening of 23/1. Nguyen Quoc Viet and Nguyen Dinh Bac gave Vietnam the lead twice during regular time, but Kim Tae-won and Shin Min-ha each equalized, bringing the match back to a tie.

Vietnam then suffered a setback when Dinh Bac committed a dangerous foul, receiving a direct red card. Despite being down to ten men, Vietnam held firm through extra time. In the penalty shootout, Vietnam successfully converted all 7 kicks, while Bae Hyeon-seo missed, leading to South Korea's 6-7 defeat.

Coach Kim Sang-sik at a press conference during the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 finals in Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFC

"Football is a demanding and challenging sport. Both South Korea and Vietnam were physically and mentally exhausted but fought with all their might," Coach Kim Sang-sik stated. "The Vietnamese players were drained but remained steadfast, handling the penalty shootout calmly and confidently to secure the win."

The coach, born in 1976, also offered encouragement to the South Korean players but reserved special praise for the Vietnamese squad. He noted that every match presents immense difficulty, yet the players found ways to overcome them. Against South Korea, the team played with ten men but did not concede another goal for the remainder of the match. "This victory is a valuable experience that will help the players mature," Coach Kim added.

Regarding Dinh Bac's situation, the South Korean coach suggested his player was overly excited, leading to the mistake of stepping on Lee Chan-ouk's shin in the 86th minute. Coach Kim stated that in such circumstances, a coach can do little to compensate. However, he maintained confidence that even with ten players, Vietnam could hold their ground and find a chance to win.

Goalkeeper Cao Van Binh (blue jersey) in Vietnam's victory over South Korea at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. Photo: AFC

Coach Kim also commended goalkeeper Cao Van Binh for successfully saving a penalty kick, which helped secure the team's victory. The goalkeeper, born in 2005, made his first start and displayed strong composure. "He rarely starts, so it was undoubtedly tough and stressful for him, but he gave his best effort. Along with his teammates, they listened to the coaches' instructions to perform effectively and contribute to the win."

Following a significant loss to China, Vietnam's third-place finish at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 is considered an unexpected outcome. The team also achieved their first-ever victory against South Korea at the U23 level, concluding their campaign in Saudi Arabia with considerable success. This accomplishment marks Vietnam's highest finish at the continental level since being the runner-up at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2018.

Coach Kim Sang-sik noted that the players have worked tirelessly since preparing for the 33rd SEA Games. They have had no days off and have been together for nearly three months. Therefore, he hopes his players will enjoy a well-deserved rest period soon.

"Tet is approaching, and I want to extend New Year wishes to Vietnamese fans," Mr. Kim stated. "To the players, I congratulate them and am proud of them. I hope players like Nguyen Hieu Minh recover quickly from their injuries."

Hieu Luong