U23 Vietnam continues its historic journey in the AFC U23 Championship final tournament.

Victory through resilience and versatility

Even before kickoff, U23 UAE was favored over U23 Vietnam due to their physical stature, endurance, and speed. At Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, the West Asian side showed strong control in most one-on-one duels, especially in aerial battles. Their game plan was clear: cautious defense, tight formation, then exploiting long balls and crosses from the wings to quickly threaten goalkeeper Trung Kiên’s goal.

Indeed, this approach proved effective. Both of U23 UAE's goals came from aerial situations where they maximized their height and jumping ability to overcome the Vietnamese defense. At times, the red-shirted defenders struggled against the constant crosses and intense aerial pressure from their opponents.

However, the biggest difference in the match was that while U23 UAE played to their strengths, they faced a U23 Vietnam side full of confidence, skill, and tactical flexibility. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s players did not retreat into defensive shells or show hesitation. Instead, U23 Vietnam confidently controlled possession and launched diverse attacks, blending short, ground passes in tight spaces with unexpected long and aerial balls.

This confidence was the result of accumulated experience. Consecutive wins at the 2025 SEA Games against the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, along with impressive group stage performances at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship against Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Saudi Arabia, prepared U23 Vietnam to enter the quarterfinals with the mindset of a top team. Against taller, stronger UAE players, the Vietnamese players still actively handled the ball, combined quickly, and dared to play in tight spaces—causing moments of confusion in the opposing defense.

Dinh Bac makes the difference

In this intense contest, Nguyen Dinh Bac once again proved why he is considered Coach Kim Sang-sik’s “trump card.” Substituted on at the 35th minute for Viktor Le, the number 7 forward immediately became the focal point of all attacks.

Just minutes after entering the field, Dinh Bac made a clear impact. At the 39th minute, he received a pass from Van Khang, skillfully maneuvered inside the penalty area despite tight marking by a UAE defender, then delivered a precise cross for Le Phat to tap in and open the scoring for U23 Vietnam. This play fully showcased Dinh Bac’s qualities: technique, confidence, and timely decision-making.

In the second half, as U23 UAE equalized and the match grew even tenser, Dinh Bac struck again at the right moment. At the 62nd minute, from a quality cross by Minh Phuc, the 2004-born striker positioned himself smartly in the box, leapt, and executed a perfectly timed backward header, sending the ball to the far corner of the UAE goal. A beautiful, unstoppable goal with great psychological value.

Besides scoring and assisting, Dinh Bac consistently created chances for teammates like Anh Quan and Thanh Nhan. Although they did not convert every opportunity, each time Dinh Bac controlled the ball, the UAE defense was put on high alert. His goals against Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE confirm he is becoming a true "nightmare" for West Asian teams at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

From the 2025 SEA Games to the continental stage, Dinh Bac is emerging as a symbol of Vietnam’s new generation of forwards: confident, strong, unafraid of physical challenges, and ready to face top Asian defenders head-on.

Establishing continental stature

The 3-2 victory over U23 UAE holds special historical significance. Previously, U23 Vietnam had faced UAE eight times without a single win, only draws and losses. But in Jeddah, the "Golden Star Warriors" broke the curse with a courageous and determined performance.

The match unfolded as a thrilling back-and-forth scoring chase. U23 Vietnam took the lead three times, while U23 UAE equalized twice. After 90 minutes ended 2-2, many feared U23 Vietnam would tire in extra time against a physically superior opponent. However, the reality was quite the opposite.

At the 101st minute, the turning point came. Following a shot by Nhat Minh that unsettled the UAE defense, Minh Phuc rushed in to finish at close range, scoring the "golden goal" that sealed the 3-2 win. This goal not only sent U23 Vietnam into the semifinals but also confirmed the team’s excellent fitness and fighting spirit.

This victory also extended U23 Vietnam’s official winning streak to 15 consecutive matches—a record in the history of Vietnamese youth football. This streak started at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, continued through the AFC U23 qualifiers, the 33rd SEA Games, and now the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Coach Kim Sang-sik has built a squad that is not only technically solid but also rich in resilience and hunger for victory.

Not only domestic fans but also the Southeast Asian football community praised U23 Vietnam. On regional forums, many supporters regard Vietnam as the "flagbearer" of ASEAN football and a shared hope when facing West and Central Asian teams.

Ahead of U23 Vietnam lies the semifinal, where they will face either U23 Uzbekistan or U23 China. Regardless of the opponent, the journey at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship has proven one thing: U23 Vietnam is no longer a temporary sensation but is steadily becoming a genuine force in the continental youth football arena.