Vietnam's U23 team secured a decisive 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on 12/1, topping Group A of the U23 Asian Cup 2026 with a perfect record of three wins. The winning goal came in the 65th minute from forward Nguyen Dinh Bac, who was later named man of the match for his exceptional performance.

Head coach Kim Sang-sik's strategic approach was pivotal to Vietnam's success. Knowing that Vietnam only needed a draw to clinch the top spot, coach Kim initially kept Dinh Bac on the bench, focusing on a defensive counter-attacking strategy in the first half. After successfully keeping a clean sheet for the first 45 minutes, coach Kim introduced his key player at the start of the second half. "Coach Kim instructed us not to push our formation too high, but to focus on solid defense first," Dinh Bac explained. "When attacking, we had to exploit the two flanks, receiving the ball behind the opponent's defenders. The goal I scored came from the coaching staff's thorough preparation. I thank my teammates for their support, which allowed me to create this masterpiece and secure the victory for Vietnam."

Dinh Bac's presence immediately energized Vietnam's attack, making it more dangerous. In the 65th minute, after combining with Ngoc My on the left wing, Dinh Bac skillfully controlled the ball to bypass a Saudi Arabian defender, accelerated into the penalty area, and delivered a decisive shot from a very tight angle, scoring the match's only goal.

Forward Nguyen Dinh Bac dribbles the ball during Vietnam's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, played at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the evening of 12/1/2026. Photo: AFC

This historic achievement marks the first time Vietnam has advanced to the U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals as group winners. Dinh Bac acknowledged the challenge, stating, "All opponents in this tournament are tough to play against, especially the host nation. We also faced many injuries, but the entire team showed great unity and mutual support, playing with all their might. Our current position is the result of the extraordinary effort from the whole team."

Dinh Bac's consistent high performance has been a significant factor. Before departing for Saudi Arabia for the U23 Asian Cup finals, he was honored with the Vietnam Silver Ball 2024 award, recognizing his brilliant form that contributed to Vietnam's U23 Southeast Asian Championship title and a SEA Games 33 gold medal. This recognition further motivated the 22-year-old forward to excel in the current tournament.

His impact was evident throughout the group stage. In the opening match, Dinh Bac scored a penalty, helping Vietnam defeat Jordan 2-0. Against Kyrgyzstan, he came on as a substitute and delivered the corner kick that led to Vietnam's winning goal in a 2-1 victory. Beyond his spectacular goal against Saudi Arabia, he showcased numerous classy plays, consistently troubling the host nation's defense. The Cong an Ha Noi FC forward also played a crucial role in controlling the game's tempo and dropping back to assist his teammates in defense.

The Vietnam team celebrates their 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the evening of 12/1/2026. Photo: AFC

Defender Pham Minh Phuc highlighted the team's fighting spirit and their ability to withstand intense attacks from opponents, considering it a commendable effort by the U23 Vietnam team from the start of the tournament. According to him, the entire team defended solidly, and their calmness and resilience helped them neutralize every opponent. "We have advanced from the group stage with a perfect record. The path ahead is easier, but we cannot yet think about the final," Minh Phuc cautioned. "We must not be complacent; we need to be extremely careful and give our best whenever we step onto the field."

In the quarterfinals, Vietnam is scheduled to face either UAE or Syria at 10:30 PM (Hanoi time) on Friday, 16/1.