Vietnam U23's main rival wins big against South Korea

Saudi Arabia U23, sharing the group with Vietnam U23, secured a commanding 4-0 victory over South Korea U23, asserting their power before the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

The Saudi Arabia U23 team, who are in the same group as Vietnam U23 at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, delivered an impressive performance by beating South Korea U23 4-0 in a friendly match held on the evening of October 10 in Al-Ahsa city.

This match was part of the preparation camp for the upcoming AFC U23 Championship. Under the guidance of Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio, Saudi Arabia U23 fielded almost their strongest lineup, featuring key players such as goalkeeper Turki Baljoush, forward Ahmed Al-Jlidan, and attacking star Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa. Al-Aliwa opened the scoring in the 40th minute and completed his brace at the 61st minute. The other two goals were scored by Ahmed Al-Jlidan (49’) and Faisal Al-Subaie (64’), sealing a convincing 4-0 win against one of Asia's top teams.

This result not only has technical significance but also provides a major morale boost for the West Asian team ahead of the tournament they will host. With their quality and squad depth, Saudi Arabia U23 continues to confirm their status as one of the top contenders for the championship.

According to the draw, Saudi Arabia U23 is placed in Group A along with Vietnam U23, Jordan U23, and Kyrgyzstan U23. The tournament is scheduled to start in January 2026 in Saudi Arabia. With their current form, the host team is considered the favorite to top the group, while the remaining qualifying spot promises a fierce competition among Vietnam, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Earlier, Vietnam U23 has been training in the UAE to prepare for the competition. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team played their first friendly against UAE U23 on the evening of October 9, narrowly losing 0-1. They will continue with their second match on October 13 at the 321Sports stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The emphatic victory of Saudi Arabia U23 over South Korea clearly serves as a strong warning to their group rivals, including Vietnam U23, who will need thorough preparation if they aim to create an upset at the continental stage early next year.