The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) praised Vietnam’s composure and team ethic in their official match report, highlighting the team’s determination and tactical discipline in securing a narrow but significant victory over the hosts.

“The determined display saw Vietnam top the group with maximum points, and they will face the Group B runners-up in Friday’s last eight tie while defeat meant elimination for Saudi Arabia,” AFC wrote on its website.

Saudi Arabian media outlets such as Al-Bilad and Al-Jazira, publicly acknowledged Vietnam’s smart and disciplined performance, despite expressing deep disappointment over hosts’ elimination. Several commentators described the result as an unacceptable outcome for Saudi Arabia given their status and expectations in the tournament.

Contrary to early skepticism, Jordan’s leading sports outlet Al Nashama identified Vietnam U23 as the most consistent team in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. According to the publication’s analysis, Vietnam’s opening victory over Jordan was neither a fleeting burst of form nor the result of luck, but the starting point of a carefully calculated campaign that culminated in a crucial win over defending runners-up Saudi Arabia. Under head coach Kim Sang-sik, it said, the team displayed maturity, smooth ball circulation and strong defensive discipline.

Jordanian media also highlighted the modern footballing mindset of Vietnam’s young players, describing it as a rare quality at youth level on the continental stage. Rather than playing hastily or taking unnecessary risks, Vietnam patiently implemented a structured approach. This composure, analysts said, allowed the team to maintain balance throughout all three group matches.

Jordan Sports reported that local experts no longer view Jordan’s 0–2 defeat to Vietnam as a shock. As the group stage concluded, Vietnam’s convincing performances forced analysts to acknowledge the true strength of their opponents. The consensus among Jordanian experts is that Vietnam are a genuinely strong and well-balanced collective. The opening win against Jordan is now regarded as a deserved springboard for their impressive run at the tournament, where they not only secured qualification but also finished ahead of several established youth powerhouses.

Regional observers also pointed to Vietnam’s remarkable stability and control across all three group matches — a shift in perception from pre-tournament expectations. Analysts noted that Vietnam’s opening win against Jordan and consistent performance thereafter reflected a well-structured game plan, rather than isolated fortune.

Thailand’s Siam Sport expressed admiration for the performance of head coach Kim Sang-sik’s side after Vietnam convincingly overcame Saudi Arabia, describing the team as one of the most impressive performers following the group stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.

The Korean outlet ChosunBiz spoke highly of Vietnam’s 1–0 victory over hosts Saudi Arabia, describing it as clear evidence of the “Kim Sang-sik magic.” The paper emphasised head coach Kim’s bold tactical management and squad rotation, praising his willingness to bench key players to demonstrate Vietnam’s squad depth.

It also highlighted the team’s defensive resilience, led by the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien under heavy pressure. Dinh Bac’s second-half goal was portrayed as a moment combining speed, technique, and composure, sealing a perfect group-stage record for Vietnam.

ChosunBiz noted that Vietnam’s win was not just about the scoreline, but about identity, consistency, and collective strength, as they topped the group and directly eliminated Saudi Arabia.

With the psychological boost of topping their group and knocking out the host nation, Vietnam carry growing confidence into the knockout stage. Analysts and regional press have suggested that if Vietnam maintain their tactical maturity and team cohesion, they have the potential to advance deep into the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, marking a further elevation of their status in continental youth football.

Vietnam stun hosts Saudi Arabia to reach U23 Asian Cup quarter-finals

VOV.VN - Vietnam pulled off a major upset at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, defeating tournament hosts Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their final group-stage match early on January 13 to secure a place in the quarter-finals with a perfect record.