In a dramatic football match held in Jeddah, the Vietnamese national team achieved a historic feat by securing third place and the bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship, hosted by Saudi Arabia. This triumph came after a thrilling and hard-fought victory over South Korea, winning 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The match took place at the King Abdullah Sports City (The Shining Jewel) auxiliary stadium last night.
Match scenario: Excitement until the very last breath
The match began at a high tactical level, with the Vietnamese team surprising their Korean counterparts with a well-organized defense and swift counter-attacks. This resulted in an early goal in the 30th minute, scored by the talented Nguyen Quoc Viet, giving Vietnam an unexpected lead at halftime. In the second half, the Korean team intensified their attacking pressure until Kim Tae-won managed to equalize in the 69th minute.
The Koreans' joy was short-lived, as the Vietnamese team displayed the character of champions and quickly regained the lead just two minutes later, in the 71st minute, through Nguyen Dinh Bac. As the match drew to a close and Vietnam prepared to celebrate, Shin Min Ha snatched a dramatic equalizer for South Korea in the seventh minute of stoppage time (90+7), forcing the match into a penalty shootout, which ultimately favored Vietnam.
The development of Vietnamese football and the shock of the Korean Samson
This victory sends a powerful message, confirming the rapid development of football in Vietnam and Southeast Asia in general. Defeating a team of South Korea's stature, a perennial contender for titles and one of the continent's powerhouses, is not just a fleeting triumph, but the culmination of years of work on youth development and academy advancement. Conversely, fourth place represents a disappointment for South Korean football, which had aspired to reach the final and compete for the title, raising questions about the future of the current generation and its ability to compete in upcoming international tournaments.
Saudi Arabia: The Destination of Asian Sports
This tournament reaffirms Saudi Arabia's success in hosting major sporting events. Jeddah, with its world-class stadiums such as King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, provided an ideal environment for competition. This organization reflects Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision to become a global sports hub, contributing to raising the tournament's technical level and providing a unique fan experience.
Stay tuned for the final scene
With third place decided, all eyes in Asian football will be on Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah today (Saturday), which will host the highly anticipated final. The Chinese Dragons will face the Japanese Samurai Blue in a fiery encounter to determine the champion of the 2026 edition, in a fitting conclusion to the exciting and competitive continental tournament.
