U23 Vietnam stun South Korea to claim bronze at Asian U23 cup

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam produced a major upset by defeating South Korea on penalties to secure third place at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals.

Vietnam entered the match with serious defensive challenges. Hieu Minh missed out through injury, Ly Duc served a suspension and head coach Kim Sang-sik had to reshuffle a central defense that had stayed intact throughout the tournament.

Fitness also posed a concern. With just two days of rest before the playoff, Vietnam struggled to reach peak condition.

South Korea, by contrast, fielded an almost full-strength lineup with superior fitness and a clear physical advantage.

As a result, Vietnam faced constant pressure in aerial duels, set pieces and physical battles in front of goalkeeper Cao Van Binh.

South Korea dominated possession from the opening whistle, while Vietnam stayed compact, defended deep and built attacks patiently.

In the 10th minute, Vietnam created a promising move, but Van Thuan’s final pass to Anh Quan failed to beat the South Korean back line.

Despite facing a higher-ranked opponent, Vietnam showed composure and resilience, even as South Korea found space for attacking combinations.

Vietnam broke through in the 30th minute. Quoc Viet won the ball in midfield, released Dinh Bac down the flank, then surged forward to meet the return pass and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.

Moments later, the referee awarded South Korea a penalty for a foul involving Dinh Bac. After reviewing VAR footage, the referee overturned the decision and canceled the penalty.

Vietnam defended with discipline for the remainder of the first half to preserve the one-goal lead.

At the start of the second half, Kim Sang-sik introduced Cong Phuong in place of Quoc Viet.

In the 51st minute, Jung Seung Bae struck from distance, but his effort caused no trouble for Cao Van Binh. Vietnam continued to absorb pressure while protecting their narrow lead.

South Korea equalized in the 70th minute after defensive hesitation allowed Kim Tae Won to turn and finish into the far corner.

The response came almost immediately. Quoc Cuong drove through the middle and won a free kick. From around 20 meters, Dinh Bac sent a low strike past the goalkeeper to restore Vietnam’s 2-1 lead.

Vietnam then dropped deeper to defend the advantage. Dinh Bac later received a straight red card for a serious challenge, leaving Vietnam with 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Vietnam maintained discipline and organization. However, they conceded in the final minute of stoppage time, forcing the match into extra time.

Still a man down, Kim Sang-sik’s side held firm through extra time. Cao Van Binh delivered a standout performance, saving a penalty to help Vietnam win the shootout 7-6 and secure third place.

After the match, Kim Sang-sik praised both teams and highlighted his players’ determination.

He said every match in the tournament tested Vietnam, adding that despite playing with 10 men, the team fought until the end and prevailed on penalties. He congratulated the players and thanked Vietnamese supporters.

Kim said both teams suffered heavy physical fatigue but competed with strong fighting spirit throughout the match.

He said Vietnam maintained focus during extra time and gained valuable experience from the pressure of the penalty shootout.

The coach also praised the players’ composure from the spot and singled out Cao Van Binh for his decisive contribution.

He noted that although the goalkeeper had limited opportunities earlier in the tournament, he trained consistently and delivered under intense pressure.

Vietnamese proud of the players, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh says Following the victory, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory letter to the coaching staff and the Vietnam U23 men’s team. In the letter, the prime minister praised the team’s resilience and courage throughout the tournament, especially in the bronze-medal match played with 10 men. He described the result as a remarkable victory that brought pride and joy to the nation and contributed to celebrations marking the success of the 14th National Party Congress. Prime Minister Chinh hailed the win as a triumph of Vietnamese will and aspiration, praising the team’s discipline, intelligence, unity and fighting spirit. He also recognized the thorough preparation of the coaching staff, the guidance of the Vietnam Football Federation and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the quiet dedication of the players. Chinh said Vietnam’s campaign sent a strong message about a new generation of Vietnamese youth defined by ambition, resilience and readiness to compete internationally. The prime minister thanked fans nationwide for their unwavering support, which provided vital encouragement throughout the tournament. He expressed confidence that the team would continue to embody the spirit of the “Golden Star Warriors” and achieve further success at regional and international competitions. President of the Vietnam Football Federation Tran Quoc Tuan also congratulated Vietnam on winning the bronze medal. He announced a bonus of VND2 billion (US$76,000), saying the dramatic win over South Korea delivers an emotional bronze medal and proves Vietnam’s growing maturity and competitiveness on the continental stage.