The bronze medal remains a precious reward for the Vietnam U23 team.
The defeat in the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship was an unfulfilled ending to the emotional journey of the Vietnam U23 team. However, in the specific context of the match and looking at the tournament as a whole, the door to the Bronze Medal remains open as a well-deserved reward, reflecting the value, effort, and standing that coach Kim Sang-sik and his team currently hold.
Bell plan belong toCoach Kim Sang-sik bag pour bellows
Entering the semi-final against China U23, Vietnam U23 carried immense confidence after their emotional victory against UAE U23 in the quarter-finals. Coach Kim Sang-sik's plan was built on a balance between controlling the game, disciplined defense, and waiting for breakthroughs in the second half, where strategic players like Dinh Bac were expected to be brought on at the right moment.
However, all those calculations were soon disrupted by the serious injury to center-back Hieu Minh in the latter half of the first half. This was a major blow to the defensive structure that had been operating stably since the beginning of the tournament for the Vietnam U23 team. Hieu Minh played the role of a "stopper" in the center of the defense, being strong in tackles, alert in covering, and organizing the team's formation. His forced departure from the field caused the three-center-back defensive system to lose its crucial connection.
Immediately after the break, the Chinese U23 team fully exploited this gap. The goal conceded from a corner kick in the 48th minute clearly reflected their confusion in man-marking and defensive organization. Just a few minutes later, a decisive shot to make it 2-0 forced the Vietnamese U23 team to push forward, their physical condition already depleted after a series of intense matches.
Ly Duc's red card in the second half made the situation even more difficult to salvage. Playing with ten men against an opponent with a well-organized defense and a knack for capitalizing on opportunities, the Vietnam U23 team was forced to take significant risks. The third goal conceded at the end of the match was an inevitable consequence of that situation, as concentration and physical fitness were no longer guaranteed.
However, judging solely by the 0-3 scoreline would be unfair. The Vietnam U23 team has had a very determined and resilient journey in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. They have achieved convincing victories against highly-rated teams in the continent. And ahead of them, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team still has a crucial match against South Korea U23 for the bronze medal.
Need fast quick abyss wake up pure god
The semi-final defeat, while regrettable, should not become a lasting psychological shock. Because the journey of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship is still a positive story. For the first time in many years, the young Vietnamese team reached the top four in the continent through a convincing path, overcoming a series of strong and traditionally strong opponents.
The bronze medal match against South Korea U23 therefore still holds immense value. It's not just a battle for a medal, but also a test of the skill level of Coach Kim Sang-sik's players. With a depleted squad, a severely depleted defense, and many key players overworked, the challenge for Vietnam U23 is enormous.
However, it is precisely in these difficult times that the value of spirit is most clearly measured. A bronze medal at the continental level would be a well-deserved recognition of the team's efforts, and a crucial boost for the transition of players at all levels of the national team. It would also help young players gain more experience in top-level competition, something that cannot be measured by dry statistics.
More importantly, the Vietnam U23 team needs to quickly regain their morale. Coach Kim Sang-sik's post-match comments show that he is not shirking responsibility and is affirming his belief in his players. This is a key factor for the whole team to enter the third-place match with a positive mindset, instead of being haunted by the recent defeat.
Looking at the bigger picture, being among the top four teams in Asia is clear evidence that Vietnamese youth football is fully capable of competing on the big stage. A bronze medal, if won, would not be a "consolation prize," but a milestone affirming a generation of players who are developing in the right direction.
The tournament will eventually end, but the lessons learned from the semi-final and the opportunity in the third-place match will stay with the Vietnam U23 team for a long time. Reviving their spirit, playing a fair game, and concluding the tournament with a positive image is the best way for the young Vietnamese team to protect the values they have built. And in that context, a bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, if achieved, would still be a valuable and well-deserved reward for the Vietnam U23 team's arduous journey.
