Once rejected twice for being "tiny", Nguyen Dinh Bac experienced a remarkable height acceleration, growing from 1,5 m to 1,7 m in seven months away from home, marking a turning point in his career.

If Vietnam defeats South Korea in the U23 Asia 2026 third-place playoff, it will mark the first time the nation stands alone in this position at a continental football tournament.

Renowned newspaper Sina believes that media praise, an excited mindset, and fan expectations could be a "double-edged sword" for Vietnam ahead of their U23 Asian Cup 2026 semi-final match against China.

Coach Philippe Troussier believes Vietnam facing China in the U23 Asian Championship semifinals is a surprise, as the two teams eliminated in the quarterfinals were considered stronger.

Ahead of their afternoon training on 17/1, coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese players expressed their determination, aiming to conquer the U23 Asia 2026 championship.

After watching Vietnam U23's quarter-final match against UAE, Richard Harcus said he observed a very different football landscape in Vietnam after 12 years of living there.

Confident demeanor, physical fitness, technical proficiency, and a cohesive team are Vietnam's bright spots since the start of the U23 Asian Cup 2026, and these must continue to be leveraged against UAE today.

Vietnam has won a total of 8 matches in the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals, exceeding the combined achievements of all other Southeast Asian teams.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website stated that coach Kim Sang-sik's substitution decisions helped Vietnam defeat Kyrgyzstan in the U23 Asian Cup 2026 group stage.

Vietnam aims for a second consecutive victory in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals, facing Kyrgyzstan. The match kicks off at 9 PM tonight.

In tonight's match against Kyrgyzstan, the second round of group A in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals, Vietnam has an opportunity to secure its first victory against a Central Asian representative in the tournament.