Analyzing the Achilles' heel of the South Korean U23 team: An opportunity for the Vietnamese U23 team to create an upset.
The defeat against Japan exposed weaknesses in the South Korean U23 team's playing style, creating opportunities for coach Kim Sang-sik and his players to exploit in the third-place match.
The third-place match at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship is not just a contest for pride, but also a test of character and tactics for the Vietnamese U23 team against a top-ranked opponent in the continent. Despite being considered inferior in terms of physique and skill, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team holds the key to exploiting weaknesses in the South Korean team's playing style.
The attacking line is struggling and suffers from psychological weaknesses.
The South Korean U23 team entered the third-place match under immense psychological pressure after their 0-1 defeat to Japan in the semi-finals. Statistics from that match revealed a worrying reality for the South Korean team: they controlled possession and dominated the game, but their ability to convert opportunities into goals was extremely low. Their impatience in the final shots and the lack of diverse passing options when facing a deep defensive block rendered their strength ineffective.
Notably, the South Korean players' ability to maneuver in tight spaces is also a major question mark. When surrounded and pressed quickly by the opponent, individual players on the South Korean side often appear flustered, leading to unnecessary personal mistakes. This is the "Achilles' heel" that the Vietnam U23 team needs to focus on exploiting with a decisive and disciplined playing style starting from the midfield.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's "know yourself and know your enemy" strategy.
Vietnam's biggest advantage in this match is coach Kim Sang-sik's deep understanding of his home country's football. He is familiar with the playing style and even the mental weaknesses of the young South Korean players. With Vietnam's defense severely depleted due to Hieu Minh's injury and Ly Duc's suspension, a pragmatic approach is essential.
The Vietnam U23 team will most likely deploy an active counter-attacking defensive formation. Instead of passively sitting back, wing players like Khuất Văn Khang or Lê Phát will be crucial attacking threats, exploiting the vast spaces behind South Korea's high defensive line. Long passes over the top or quick, short combinations on the flanks will be sharp weapons to create surprises.
Weapons from mental well-being
Besides technical skill, differences in mindset can determine the outcome of a match. While the South Korean U23 team is under immense pressure from domestic public opinion after missing out on a place in the final, the Vietnamese U23 team possesses a very relaxed mentality. The excitement and fighting spirit of the "Golden Star Warriors" with nothing to lose could frustrate their opponents, leading to a loss of control of the game.
If they can maintain high concentration throughout the 90 minutes and make good use of counter-attacking opportunities, the Vietnam U23 team can absolutely recreate the historic moments of Vietnamese youth football, concluding their 2026 U23 Asian Championship journey with a resounding result.
