Goals from Nguyen Dinh Bac and Hieu Minh in the first half secured all three points for Vietnam in the tournament opener, played in Saudi Arabia. The win gave coach Kim Sang-sik’s side an early advantage in a group that also includes hosts Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan.

The result quickly attracted attention from international media outlets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Thailand’s Siam Sport reported extensively on the match, highlighting Vietnam’s efficiency in the first half and resilience after the break.

Vietnam defeated Jordan 2-0 to secure a winning start at the AFC U23 Asian Cup, the Thai outlet wrote, noting that both teams pushed hard in the second half but failed to add to the scoreline.

Indonesia’s CNN Indonesia focused on Vietnam’s proactive approach and strong opening tempo. The outlet wrote that Kim Sang-sik’s team pressed high from the outset, using speed, cohesion and collective discipline to create multiple scoring opportunities and unsettle the Jordanian defence.

Indonesia’s Bola headlined its coverage by calling Vietnam’s performance “impressive,” adding that the young Vietnamese squad displayed significant potential, with several players already established at senior international level. It also noted that Jordan are considered one of Asia’s strongest emerging football powerhouses, making the 2-0 scoreline particularly striking.

Malaysia’s Makan Bola echoed that sentiment, describing Vietnam’s win as a shock result against a West Asian side widely viewed as favourites in the opening round.

Elsewhere, Jordanian media acknowledged Vietnam’s defensive organisation as a decisive factor. Roya News said Vietnam maintained compact team spacing and adjusted personnel effectively to cope with sustained pressure in the second half. It reported that these tactical changes limited Jordan’s attacking threat and allowed Vietnam to preserve their two-goal advantage until full time.

Arab-language media also praised Vietnam’s display. Al Jazeera published an article, with journalist Adel Khalou highlighting Vietnam’s strong start and control of the game. The report highlighted Dinh Bac’s opening goal from the penalty spot in the 15th minute and Vietnam’s effectiveness from set pieces, which led to the second goal from a corner kick.

Ammon News, another Jordanian outlet, acknowledged Vietnam’s deserved victory and suggested the team could emerge as a dark horse at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. Jordanzad, meanwhile, pointed to the penalty decision following a VAR review as a key turning point but also noted Jordan’s defensive lapses on set plays.

Vietnam’s victory was further underscored by results elsewhere in Group A. Hosts Saudi Arabia laboured to a narrow 1-0 win over Kyrgyzstan, who played most of the match with ten men. As a result, Vietnam lead the group after the first round on goal difference.

Vietnam will face Kyrgyzstan on January 9, with their opponents missing midfielder Sharshenbekov due to suspension following a red card. A second consecutive win would put Vietnam in a strong position to secure qualification for the knockout stage ahead of the final group match against Saudi Arabia on January 12.

Vietnam U23 open AFC U23 Asian Cup with composed win over Jordan

VOV.VN - Vietnam U23 opened their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Jordan U23, underlining the squad’s tactical discipline and match control.