Vietnam U23 wins two consecutive matches: A big advantage ahead of the 'group final'.

Le Van Thuan, the best young player in the V-League 2024-2025 season, became the hero for Vietnam U23 when he scored the only goal to help the home team win 1-0 against Singapore.

CHANGES HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT RESULTS

In the second match of Group C of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore U-23 at Viet Tri Stadium ( Phu Tho province ) yesterday, September 6th, coach Kim Sang-sik made several changes to the starting lineup of the Vietnam U-23 team. Compared to the opening match against Bangladesh U-23, key players such as center-back Pham Ly Duc, midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac, and wingers Vo Anh Quan and Nguyen Phi Hoang were benched. In particular, Le Viktor was deployed as a striker alongside Nguyen Dinh Bac and Nguyen Cong Phuong by the South Korean coach.

Le Van Thang scored a goal for Vietnam U.23.

Vietnam U23 (right) holds a significant advantage in the race against Yemen U23.

PHOTO: MINH TU

However, it can be said that Kim Sang-sik's new personnel changes failed to bring success to the Vietnam U23 team in the first half, at least in terms of the score (0-0 draw). Despite completely controlling the game and having superior possession, the Vietnam U23 team was ineffective in attack. The Vietnamese players had many scoring opportunities, but their accuracy was lacking. Misplaced passes also appeared more frequently in the attacking combinations of Kim's players. However, the fact that Vietnam U23 couldn't score in the first half was partly due to bad luck, and objectively, the Singapore U23 team played well. Le Viktor hit the post with a close-range shot in the 33rd minute. The same Vietnamese-born player then turned and unleashed a beautiful shot at the end of the first half, but the Singapore goalkeeper made a spectacular save.

Coach Pham Minh Duc commented: "The Singapore U23 team has a disciplined and very well-organized playing style. Therefore, breaking through their defense is not an easy task for the Vietnam U23 team. The Singapore U23 defense maintains a stable number of players and a well-defined formation. The Singapore U23 midfield plays with great determination, pressing and closing down quickly, so the Vietnam U23 players don't have much time to react. The problem for Coach Kim Sang-sik's players is their finishing ability, especially one-touch finishing. However, the Vietnam U23 team still had some good moments. The most important factor for young players is their mentality; impatience is unavoidable. If they had been luckier and scored a goal for Vietnam U23, the situation would have been different, as the players would have played with more confidence."

Mr. Kim has a "lucky touch".

Vietnam U23's performance improved in the second half, after coach Kim Sang-sik made changes to the attacking line. Players who performed well against Bangladesh U23 – strikers Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Phi Hoang, and Le Van Thuan, the best young player in the V-League 2024-2025 season – were given the opportunity to play. Vietnam U23's attacking moves became sharper and faster. It can be said that Coach Kim's substitutions proved highly effective, helping the Golden Star team secure all three points for the fans at Viet Tri Stadium.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan left his mark with two shots, especially the one that hit the crossbar in the 68th minute. Meanwhile, Le Van Thuan knew how to take advantage of opportunities to impress coach Kim, playing aggressively and shining with a dangerous header that broke the deadlock for Vietnam U23 at the end of the match. It was Phi Hoang who provided the assist with a precise cross into the penalty area for Van Thuan to score.

The U.23 team expresses gratitude to the fans.

In the early match of Group C, played that afternoon, the Yemen U23 team secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against Bangladesh U23 thanks to a goal scored in injury time. Thus, after two rounds, Vietnam U23 maintains the top spot in Group C with 6 points and a goal difference of +3. Yemen U23 also has 6 points but is ranked second with a goal difference of +2. With this situation, the final match on September 9th between Vietnam U23 and Yemen U23 will be the "final" of Group C. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team holds a significant advantage, needing only a draw against Yemen U23 to secure direct qualification for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia next year.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-thang-2-tran-lien-tiep-loi-the-lon-truc-chung-ket-bang-18525090622250193.htm