Players of Vietnam’s under-23 team celebrate after Nguyen Le Phat scored the opening goal against the United Arab Emirates in their quarter-final match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
Vietnam started aggressively, pressing high and attacking early despite being physically outsized by the UAE.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute after an injury to Viktor Le forced coach Kim Sang Sik into an early change.
Nguyen Le Phat celebrates after scoring Vietnam’s opening goal against the United Arab Emirates in their quarterfinal match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
Substitute Nguyen Dinh Bac played a key role, receiving a through ball from Khuat Van Khang before crossing for Nguyen Le Phat to tap into the empty net.
The UAE equalized three minutes later when Junior Ndiaye headed in from close range after a high ball caused confusion in the Vietnamese penalty area.
Players of Vietnam (in red) and the United Arab Emirates challenge for the ball in their quarter-final match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
Vietnam went back in front in the 62nd minute as Dinh Bac scored with a glancing backward header into the far corner.
The UAE leveled again six minutes later through Mansoor Al Menhali, who headed in from a cross on the left.
With the score 2-2 after regulation, Vietnam continued to press in extra time and scored the winner when Pham Minh Phuc turned and shot from close range, with the ball deflecting off a UAE defender and past goalkeeper Khaled Tawhid.
Nguyen Dinh Bac celebrates after scoring Vietnam’s second goal against the United Arab Emirates in their quarterfinal match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
Vietnam held firm in the closing minutes to secure a place in the semifinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, which is being held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24.
Vietnam will face the winners of the quarterfinal between China and Uzbekistan, which is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 pm later on Saturday.
Highlights of Vietnam’s 3-2 extra-time victory over the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026.
Vietnam’s Pham Minh Phuc celebrates after scoring the winning goal against the United Arab Emirates in their quarterfinal match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
Players of Vietnam’s under-23 team celebrate after Pham Minh Phuc scored the winning goal against the United Arab Emirates in their quarterfinal match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2026. Photo: TED Tran
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