U23 Vietnam officially broke the 'curse' of the number 21 jersey at the U23 Asian Championship.

Previously, the number 21 jersey was linked to unwanted turning points for U23 Vietnam on the continental stage. In 2020, defender Dinh Trong, wearing number 21, received a red card in the match against U23 North Korea, causing U23 Vietnam to lose 1-2 and exit early in the group stage.

Two years later, at the 2022 U23 Asian Championship, goalkeeper Van Chuan—also wearing number 21—was sent off with a red card in the quarterfinal against U23 Saudi Arabia. Playing with one less man, U23 Vietnam failed to cause an upset and accepted a 0-2 defeat, missing out on the semifinals again.

At the 2024 tournament, the "bad luck" seemed to continue when Manh Hung, the player wearing number 21, was shown a red card in the quarterfinal against U23 Iraq. U23 Vietnam then narrowly lost 0-1 and once again stopped just short of the semifinals.

However, all the fears were finally laid to rest at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. Still wearing the familiar number 21, Pham Minh Phuc was no longer the figure associated with red cards, but became the hero by scoring the winning goal, securing a historic victory for U23 Vietnam. That goal not only sent the team into the semifinals but also marked the first time U23 Vietnam overcame the "curse" linked to the previously unlucky number.

The past is behind them now. History has been rewritten in a more complete way, serving as proof of U23 Vietnam’s growth, resilience, and ambition to rise on the Asian stage.