The door to the next room is still wide open.
After two matches in Group A, Vietnam U23, with victories of 2-0 against Jordan U23 and 2-1 against Kyrgyzstan U23, is leading with a perfect 6 points. Jordan U23 is second with 3 points, Saudi Arabia U23 also has 3 points but is ranked third due to an inferior head-to-head record against Jordan U23, while Kyrgyzstan U23 is still not eliminated after two consecutive losses.
The situation in Group A is still undecided as all three teams, U23 Vietnam, U23 Saudi Arabia, and U23 Jordan, have a chance to advance. If U23 Vietnam loses to U23 Saudi Arabia and U23 Jordan wins against U23 Kyrgyzstan, then all three teams will have 3 points. In that case, tie-breaking criteria will come into play.
According to the regulations for the group stage of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, the ranking criteria are as follows: Points, head-to-head record between teams with equal points (goal difference, then number of goals), followed by overall goal difference, number of goals scored, fair-play index, and finally, a draw.
Vietnam U23 is the team with the greatest advantage and the power to decide their own fate. They only need to get a point against Saudi Arabia U23 or for Jordan U23 to fail to beat Kyrgyzstan U23 to advance. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team will only be eliminated if they lose to Saudi Arabia U23 by 3 goals or more and Jordan U23 defeats Kyrgyzstan U23. Therefore, although not yet guaranteed to advance, Vietnam U23 has a very good chance of progressing from the group stage.
Fans back home are watching with high hopes that the Vietnam U23 team will continue to maintain their form, maximize their current advantages, and seize control of their own destiny. A good result against the host team, Saudi Arabia U23, would open the door to the quarterfinals and continue to nurture the dream of going further in this year's tournament. Although many challenges lie ahead, based on what they have shown so far, the Vietnam U23 team fully deserves the trust and expectations placed upon them.
Determine your own destiny.
Instead of waiting for the result of the U23 Jordan - U23 Kyrgyzstan match and going into the game with the mindset of losing to U23 Saudi Arabia by the smallest possible margin, U23 Vietnam must strive to determine their own fate in Group A, aiming to earn points against the host nation. The lessons learned from U20 Vietnam's performance at the 2023 AFC U20 Championship are still fresh in their minds, and the current U23 Vietnam players must learn from that experience.
Three years ago, the U20 Vietnam team, featuring players like Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan, and Quoc Viet, won against Qatar (2-1) and Australia (1-0) in their first two matches, but then lost 1-3 to Iran in the final match and were eliminated despite having the same 6 points as Qatar and Iran, finishing lower due to an inferior goal difference. Learning from past mistakes, Van Khang and his teammates must fight for their own destiny against U23 Saudi Arabia. Not only must they qualify for the quarterfinals, but U23 Vietnam must also strive to finish first in their group to avoid facing the defending champions, U23 Japan, who are demonstrating formidable strength in the tournament.
Tonight's match promises to be a comprehensive test of the Vietnamese U23 team's character, organizational skills, and ability to withstand pressure. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Saudi Arabian U23 team will undoubtedly aim not only to advance but also to assert their status as a "major force." This is the biggest challenge facing the Vietnamese U23 team: overcoming the pressure of playing at home, defeating a strong opponent, and simultaneously defending the achievements they have built since the beginning of the tournament.
However, the positive aspect is that the Vietnam U23 team will enter the match with a proactive mindset. Finishing first in the group provides a psychological advantage and helps coach Kim Sang-sik's players avoid being forced into a situation where they have to take risks at all costs.
Instead, the team can play the game exactly the way they want, which is with solidity, focus, and a readiness to launch quick counter-attacks – something that proved effective in their two recent victories against U23 Jordan and U23 Kyrgyzstan.
More importantly, the players displayed remarkable mental strength, remaining calm in difficult moments, undaunted when under pressure, and always fighting until the very last minute. This "steel" will continue to be their strength when facing the host nation, U23 Saudi Arabia.
Coach Kim Sang-sik will undoubtedly demand that the entire team enter the match with maximum concentration. Every moment of carelessness could be costly against an opponent possessing many quality individuals and a fast-paced, dynamic playing style.
Furthermore, controlling emotions is especially important, as the pressure from the stands can have a significant psychological impact on young players. Maintaining a proper formation, minimizing individual mistakes, and remaining calm in ball handling will be key for the Vietnam U23 team in this crucial match.
Against U23 Saudi Arabia, U23 Vietnam will carry with them two victories, a well-established playing style, and above all, a mental strength that has become their hallmark. If they continue to keep their feet on the ground, play with full focus and determination, coach Kim Sang-sik's team can absolutely use their fate to secure a ticket to the quarterfinals.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/tan-dung-quyen-tu-quyet-196683.html
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presides over a meeting to assess the situation during the Lunar New Year holiday.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/02/22/1771768925196_ndo_br_dsc-6283-jpg.webp)
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