18:52 January 24, 2026
Historical milestone
The Vietnam U23 team set many historical milestones at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, winning 5 matches (the number of wins in 90 minutes equals the total of the previous 5 AFC U23 Championships combined), and scoring 10 goals (the most).
For the first time, the Vietnam U23 team defeated teams from three different footballing nations: West Asia (Jordan U23, UAE U23, Saudi Arabia U23), Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan U23), and Northeast Asia (South Korea U23) in a single tournament.
Following their achievement of winning the bronze medal at the continental championship, the Vietnam U23 team received a reward of approximately 9.3 billion VND, including 5.2 billion VND from the VFF and 4.1 billion VND from Mr. Duc.
After returning from the airport, the players will have a few days of rest before returning to their respective clubs to prepare for the second phase of the V-League. Currently, 100% of the U.23 squad plays in the V-League.
19:31 January 24, 2026
The atmosphere at Noi Bai Airport
Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, Director of the Vietnam Sports Department (third from the right), Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Department (second from the left), along with representatives of the Vietnam Football Federation, were present at the airport to present flowers to Mr. Tran Anh Tu, Head of the Vietnam U.23 team at the 2026 AFC U.23 Championship.
Vietnam's U.23 team, led by team manager Tran Anh Tu, exceeded expectations by defeating Jordan U.23 (2-0), Kyrgyzstan U.23 (2-1), and Saudi Arabia U.23 (1-0) to top the group with a perfect winning record.
In the quarter-finals, Vietnam U23 defeated UAE U23 3-2. Later, despite losing 0-3 to China U23 in the semi-finals and missing two key players, Hieu Minh (injured) and Ly Duc (suspended), Vietnam U23 bravely beat South Korea U23 7-6 on penalties (after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes) to win the bronze medal.
For the first time in eight years, the Vietnam U23 team has won a medal at the AFC U23 Asian Championship, thus affirming its position as one of the top youth teams.
The families of Hieu Minh (left) and Minh Phuc were present at the airport. Hieu Minh will be assisted with transportation due to a serious injury sustained in the semi-final match against China U23 at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
Just like at the 33rd SEA Games, Hieu Minh's extended family, along with the U23 Vietnam players, were always present at the airport early with bouquets of fresh flowers, waiting for them. Family is also a strong support system for the players to strive to overcome the arduous journey at the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. Coach Kim Sang-sik allowed his players time to talk and confide in their families throughout the tournament, aiming to provide them with energy from home to move forward steadily.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
Hieu Minh and Minh Phuc's family went to the airport to wait for the Vietnam U.23 team to return.
20:06 January 24, 2026
Vietnam U.23 team has arrived.
Coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam U23 team have completed immigration procedures and are collecting their luggage, preparing to return home to rest after three weeks of intense competition in Saudi Arabia. The entire team needs to recharge their energy for the important goals ahead.
The U23 Vietnam team arrived to a warm welcome from their relatives, family, and fans. Despite the arduous journey, involving two flights and a half-day layover in Qatar, the entire team was beaming after completing their historic mission at Asia's biggest sporting event.
Hieu Minh was taken away in an ambulance.
"Congratulations to the players. I am very proud of the whole team and thank the Vietnamese fans," coach Kim Sang-sik shared.
The South Korean coach had a hugely successful 2025, leading the Vietnam U23 team to victory in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the 33rd SEA Games, followed by a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian U23 Championship at the beginning of the new year. "Even playing with fewer players, we maintained our focus, didn't concede any more goals in extra time, and won in the penalty shootout. This is invaluable experience for the players to mature," emphasized Coach Kim Sang-sik.
Coach Kim Sang-sik was very excited.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
The South Korean strategist also praised many of his players, including goalkeeper Cao Van Binh and striker Nguyen Dinh Bac, for their outstanding performance in the match against the South Korean U23 team. He sent his best wishes: "The Lunar New Year is approaching, and I wish Vietnamese fans a happy new year. For the players, from the SEA Games to this tournament, you have had to play continuously, with almost no time to rest. I hope you will soon be able to rest and recover to prepare for the next stage."
The members of the Vietnam U23 team have boarded buses to return to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for rest. The whole team said goodbye to each other, preparing to return to the V-League arena. Hopefully, many U23 players will reunite at the Vietnam national team's training camp in March.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
According to the plan, the remaining group will return home on a flight scheduled to land at 6:55 AM on January 25th, also at the international terminal of Noi Bai Airport.
Dinh Bac was surrounded by fans.
Ly Duc gives an interview.
Le Phat signs autographs for fans.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
Vietnam U23 team returns home.
At 7:45 PM today (January 24th), the Vietnam U23 team will return on flight QR984 departing from Doha Airport (Qatar) and landing at Noi Bai International Airport ( Hanoi ). This marks the end of Coach Kim Sang-sik's team's three-week journey at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, where they won a memorable bronze medal.
Earlier today, at 1:40 AM (local time), 26 members of the Vietnam U23 team arrived at Jeddah airport. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team departed from Saudi Arabia, transiting through Qatar.
After an hour of post-match procedures and receiving the bronze medal, the team returned to their hotel, located 17 km from the stadium. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players took the opportunity to have a late-night meal before packing their bags.
The Vietnam U23 team will have a layover in Qatar before returning home.
PHOTO: VFF
While coach Kim Sang-sik took a short nap, many players took turns signing autographs on jerseys as souvenirs. At 1:15 AM local time on January 24th, 26 out of 40 members departed for Jeddah International Airport. The journey lasted 20 minutes. Sharing his thoughts at the airport, captain Khuất Văn Khang expressed his happiness at winning the bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championship with the Vietnam U23 team. The player, who has participated in the U23 Asian Championship finals three times in a row, also shared his plans. He intends to rest at home for two days before returning to Thể Công Viettel to prepare for the second phase of the V-League.
Midfielder Nguyen Thai Son expressed: "As soon as I get home, I'll eat hot pot." Meanwhile, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Viktor Le affirmed that they would sleep soundly to make up for the tiring match day. Both also said they would eat Hanoi pho because they missed Vietnamese food so much.
Vietnam U23 team returns home: Hieu Minh surrounded by fans offering encouragement.
The Vietnam U23 team will return to the country on two flights as follows:
Group 1: Landed at the international terminal, Noi Bai Airport at 7:45 PM on January 24th on flight QR 984 (from Doha to Hanoi).
Group 2: Landed at the international terminal, Noi Bai Airport at 6:55 AM on January 25th on flight QR 982 (from Doha to Hanoi).
Vietnam U23 team wins bronze medal at the AFC U23 Asian Championship for the first time.
PHOTO: VFF
Vietnam U23 defeated South Korea U23 in the third-place match (2-2 draw in 120 minutes, winning 7-6 on penalties) to win the bronze medal at the AFC U23 Asian Championship for the first time. Immediately after the third-place match, on behalf of the VFF Executive Committee, President Tran Quoc Tuan personally congratulated the Vietnam U23 team and announced a bonus of 2 billion VND to encourage this achievement.
This is the second time the Vietnam U23 team has won a medal at the AFC U23 Asian Championship, following their runner-up finish in 2018, once again affirming the position of Vietnamese youth football on the international stage.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-tam-chau-a-u23-viet-nam-tro-ve-trong-vong-tay-nguoi-ham-mo-18526012417280654.htm
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