Hero Van Thuan: Long-awaited goal for Vietnam U23 team, dedicated to the fans.

Striker Van Thuan became the hero with the only goal that helped the Vietnam U.23 team defeat Singapore U.23 to maintain their top spot in Group C of the 2026 AFC U.23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Van Thuan scored his first goal for the Vietnam U.23 team.

Photo: Minh Tú

Van Thuan helps Vietnam U.23 maintain top spot in the group.

The Vietnam U23 team, entering the match with many changes due to coach Kim Sang-sik's experimentation, did not play explosively, but secured a necessary 1-0 victory thanks to Van Thuan's goal in the 79th minute.

The young striker from Thanh Hoa FC made a clever move, received the ball well, and unleashed a powerful header into the far corner, leaving the Singapore U.23 goalkeeper rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the net.

After the match, the 19-year-old striker (born in 2006) of Thanh Hoa Club said that he had been waiting for this goal for a long time, and also explained his flamboyant celebration directed towards the fans at Viet Tri Stadium.

He shared: "I've been ready for this moment for a long time. Recently, I've been playing quite well and have played a lot for the Vietnam U23 team. I've been waiting for this goal for a long time. My celebration is in the style of Brazilian superstar Neymar."

Confident of qualifying for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship.

The entire Vietnam U23 team is determined to qualify for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Photo: Minh Tú

Van Thuan continued: "I would like to send my greetings to all the spectators present in the stadium today. I thank everyone for coming to support the Vietnam U23 team. Although the whole team played very well today, we will strive to continue to give the audience the best matches."

With a significantly altered lineup featuring players like Tuan Phong, Minh Phuc, and Cong Phuong making their first starts in the 2026 U.23 Asian Championship qualifiers, it's understandable that the Vietnam U.23 team struggled.

Nevertheless, Van Thuan was very confident: "When things got tough, we encouraged each other to keep going. Everyone motivated each other to play, and we were united to achieve today's victory. I and the whole team share the same determination to reach the final round of the 2026 U.23 Asian Championship."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-hung-van-thuan-cho-ban-thang-cho-u23-viet-nam-tu-lau-gui-tang-khan-gia-185250906212649046.htm