Vietnam defeat Indonesia to win third consecutive AFF U23 title

Nguyen Cong Phuong scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, converting a loose ball following a corner kick.

Vietnam maintained a compact defensive structure for most of the match and limited Indonesia’s scoring chances.

Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien kept a clean sheet as Indonesia failed to convert possession into clear opportunities.

Indonesia committed eight fouls in the first half and struggled to break down Vietnam’s defense, relying primarily on long throws and wide deliveries.

Vietnam, under South Korean head coach Kim Sang Sik, focused on set-piece opportunities and capitalized on one to secure the win.

Nguyen Dinh Bac, who assisted the match-winning goal, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The result marked Vietnam’s third consecutive AFF U23 Championship title.

The team also won the tournament in 2022 and 2023.

The competition has been held five times since its inception.

Following the match, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a statement congratulating the team and coaching staff, calling the victory a symbol of national pride.

He urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to coordinate with relevant agencies to reward the players.