Asian media hail Vietnam U23s’ discipline, rising competitiveness after Saudi win

Vietnam closed the group stage with a 1–0 victory over hosts Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, having earlier beaten Kyrgyzstan 2–1 on January 10 and Jordan 2–0 in their opening match on January 7.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in its official tournament coverage, described Vietnam as "determined" and "well-organized" after the Southeast Asian side topped Group A with maximum points, eliminating host nation Saudi Arabia and advancing to the quarterfinals.

Thai sports daily Siam Sport, reporting in Thai, said Vietnam's progression reflected a performance built on structure rather than flair, noting the team's ability to absorb pressure and execute decisively against higher-profile opponents. 

The paper said Vietnam's consistency across all three group matches set them apart in a section that included two West Asian teams.

In South Korea, where Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik is closely followed, media coverage framed the result as further evidence of Vietnam's tactical evolution. 

Sports outlet OSEN said Kim's team "completed a flawless group stage" through controlled game management and balance between defense and attack.

Sports Kyunghyang highlighted Vietnam's composure, describing the group campaign as "three wins achieved without losing control of matches," while FN News emphasized the side's efficiency, pointing to Vietnam's ability to secure results without dominating possession.

Online news outlet Dailian went further, saying Vietnam had emerged as "one of the tournament's most competitive teams so far," citing their organization, discipline, and ability to manage pressure in decisive moments.

The regional reaction reflects a shift in perception toward Vietnam's under-23 side, traditionally viewed as outsiders at Asian youth tournaments.

Analysts across Thai and South Korean media noted that Vietnam's performances were marked less by isolated moments and more by sustained control over matches.

Vietnam will enter the knockout phase as Group A winners, carrying momentum and rising expectations as the tournament moves into its decisive stages.

The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, features four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.