Asian football fans will turn their attention today, Tuesday, to Saudi Arabia, specifically the city of Jeddah, which is hosting high-stakes matches in the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship. This crucial stage will witness a purely East Asian clash that reflects the development of football in this part of the continent, as the Japanese national team aims to continue its march towards the title when it faces its traditional rival, South Korea, while the Chinese Dragon faces a tough test against the rising ambition of the Vietnamese national team.
East Asian Derby: Japan and South Korea
At 2:30 PM, at the King Abdullah Sports City auxiliary stadium in Jeddah, the opening whistle will blow for one of the most anticipated classics of Asian football. The Japanese national team enters the match with its sights set on gold, armed with the disciplined tactical performance that led them to overcome the Jordanian national team in the quarterfinals via a penalty shootout. Meanwhile, the South Korean national team is no less ambitious, having proven its mettle by eliminating the strong Australian team with a 2-1 victory, setting the stage for a fiercely contested clash between two established footballing traditions.
In pre-match statements, Japan's coach, Gowa Oiwa, emphasized the importance of teamwork, expressing his confidence in all 23 players on his squad to deliver their best performance, regardless of who starts. Meanwhile, South Korea's assistant coach, Lee Kyung-soo, praised the Japanese Samurai Blue's defensive solidity, noting their clean sheet in the group stage, and affirmed his team's desire to maintain their upward trajectory and reach the final.
China and Vietnam: A clash of ambitions and surprises
In the second match, hosted at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium at 6:30 PM, the Chinese national team will face their Vietnamese counterparts in a crucial encounter. Vietnam reached this stage after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the UAE in extra time, while China secured their place by overcoming a tough challenge from Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout.
Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik expressed his pride in his team's presence in the semifinals alongside continental giants Japan, South Korea, and China, praising the fighting spirit his players displayed in crucial moments against Jordan and the UAE. Meanwhile, China coach Antonio Puche described reaching the final as a "great dream," while also warning of the danger posed by the Vietnamese team, which he characterized as highly organized and possessing rapid attacking transitions.
The importance of the event and the Saudi role in hosting it
This tournament is of paramount importance not only because it determines the continental champion in the Olympic category, but also because it serves as the primary platform for the emergence of future stars who will represent their national teams in upcoming international competitions. The presence of teams from East and Southeast Asia in the semi-finals reflects the significant efforts these federations are making to develop their youth categories.
The organization of this tournament in Jeddah by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirms its growing status as a global sports destination and its high ability to host major continental and international events, providing world-class infrastructure and stadiums that contribute to raising the technical level of the matches.
