Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23: The conclusion to a memorable journey.

(NLĐO) - After their defeat in the semi-finals, Vietnam U23 and South Korea U23 will compete for third place in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.

Người Lao Động•23/01/2026

The match against South Korea U23 at 10 PM tonight (January 23rd) is the final test for Coach Kim Sang-sik's team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Given what both teams have shown throughout the tournament, this upcoming clash carries significant importance for pride. The South Korean team hopes to regain their top position in the continent with a victory, while the "Golden Star Warriors" also harbor the ambition to prove themselves on the continental stage.

U23 Việt Nam đấu U23 Hàn Quốc: Hồi kết cho hành trình đáng nhớ - Ảnh 1. — The encounter between Vietnam U23 and South Korea U23 carries significant honor (Photo: AFC)

In this campaign, the South Korean U23 team is displaying a rather "unusual" image compared to the usual form of the East Asian "giant". They control the game well, have an 85% passing accuracy, often push their opponents deep, and impose their game. However, the biggest paradox lies in the fact that coach Lee Min-sung's team has gone three matches without scoring despite taking 48 shots in five rounds.

Notably, South Korea is the only team in the top 4 without a single player scoring more than one goal. This suggests that the South Korean team is lacking a striker capable of deciding matches.

However, after a somewhat lackluster group stage, coach Lee Min-sung's team only truly exploded from the quarter-final match against U23 Australia. Their defeat to defending champions Japan in the semi-finals could also serve as a morale boost for U23 South Korea to fight for third place. Furthermore, with a highly skilled and almost intact squad, the East Asian team is considered by experts to be superior to U23 Vietnam.

Meanwhile, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team enter the upcoming match with many concerns. The 0-3 defeat against China U23 in the semi-finals not only cost the Southeast Asian representatives a place in the final but also left significant repercussions in terms of morale and personnel. The simultaneous loss of two key central defenders, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Pham Ly Duc, forces the coaching staff to consider makeshift solutions in the defense, an area that has been the foundation of the team's success since the beginning of the tournament.

Le Van Ha and Nguyen Duc Anh are the most viable options to fill the "gap" in the defense. Meanwhile, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac's lack of optimal fitness could give Le Van Thuan or Nguyen Thanh Nhan a chance to play. The remaining positions, such as Nguyen Nhat Minh, Nguyen Xuan Bac, Nguyen Thai Son, and Pham Minh Phuc, will most likely remain unchanged to ensure stability in the system.

U23 Việt Nam đấu U23 Hàn Quốc: Hồi kết cho hành trình đáng nhớ - Ảnh 2. — The South Korean U23 team is a big challenge for coach Kim Sang-sik's team (Photo: AFC)

The last time Vietnam defeated South Korea at the U23 level was in 1991, more than three decades ago. However, the East Asian representative has never won a third-place match at the U23 Asian Championship. In 2013, the South Korean team lost to Jordan on penalties; they then suffered a 0-1 defeat against Qatar in 2018.

On the other hand, Southeast Asian representatives have never won a bronze medal or finished third in official AFC tournaments. With the pressure of reaching the final gone, the Vietnam U23 team, playing their first ever third-place match in a continental competition, can play with a relaxed mindset, ready to wait for their opponent's mistakes.

U23 Việt Nam đấu U23 Hàn Quốc: Hồi kết cho hành trình đáng nhớ - Ảnh 3. — A fair and square match against South Korea U23 would be a fitting end to Vietnam U23's journey (Photo: VFF)

The 2026 AFC U23 Championship marks the first time the "Golden Star Warriors" have reached the quarterfinals as group winners, and also the first time they have defeated the UAE U23 team since 2002. This is proof of the significant progress made by coach Kim Sang-sik's team in terms of playing style, discipline, and ability to capitalize on opportunities. Regardless of the outcome, a fair match against the "giant" South Korea would be a fitting end for the Vietnam U23 team in this year's tournament.

The Vietnam U23 team has never won a bronze medal or finished third in any official AFC tournament. With the pressure of reaching the final gone, the Vietnam U23 team, playing their first ever third-place match in a continental competition, can now approach the game with a relaxed mindset, ready to wait for their opponent's mistakes.