Vietnam U23 defeated South Korea U23 on penalties to secure third place in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.

Following a heavy defeat in the semi-finals, coach Kim Sang-sik carried out a major overhaul of the squad, changing nine positions in the starting lineup. Serious losses in the defense, particularly the long-term injury of Hieu Minh and the suspension of Ly Duc, forced the Vietnam U23 team into the third-place match with many uncertainties. In this context, the decision to place faith in Cao Van Binh – the goalkeeper from Song Lam Nghe An – became the most noteworthy point.

From the very first minutes, the Vietnam U23 team played confidently, showing no signs of being outmatched by their more highly-rated opponents. The red-shirted team proactively contested the ball, organized mid-range pressing, and were ready to switch tactics quickly when opportunities arose. In the 5th minute, Vietnam U23 had their first shot of the match.

Conversely, the South Korean U23 team also quickly demonstrated their strength with fast-paced passing combinations and dangerous penetrations into the penalty area. In the 27th minute, Kang Min-jun turned and unleashed a powerful shot inside the box, but Cao Van Binh made an excellent save, diving to push the ball out for a corner. This save not only kept a clean sheet but also boosted the confidence of his teammates further up the field.

In attack, Dinh Bac continued to be a major pillar of support for the Vietnam U23 team. Despite not being in his best physical condition due to a hamstring injury, the number 7 striker played energetically, constantly putting pressure on the South Korean defense. In the 15th minute, he forced a foul with a powerful burst of speed. In the 19th minute, from a free kick that rebounded to the second line, Thai Son unleashed a powerful volley, but unfortunately, the ball narrowly missed the target.

The turning point of the first half came in the 30th minute, during a very quick transition by the Vietnam U23 team. From their own half, the ball was played long to Dinh Bac, who sprinted down the left wing, penetrated the penalty area, and then delivered an accurate cross to Quoc Viet. The striker wearing number 9 controlled the ball neatly with one touch before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net, opening the scoring against South Korea U23.

The goal boosted the morale of the Vietnam U23 team significantly. The red-shirted team controlled the tempo of the game well, maintained a reasonable formation, and minimized the opponent's quick counter-attacks. Dinh Bac continued to be an inspiration in attack with his daring dribbling, while the midfield operated disciplinedly, effectively supporting the defense.

In the final minutes of the first half, the South Korean U23 team tried to push forward to find an equalizer, but failed to create any truly clear opportunities. The Vietnamese U23 defense played with focus, and Cao Van Binh continued to show his reliability in goal.

The first 45 minutes of the match ended with a 1-0 lead for Vietnam U23.

In the second half, the South Korean U23 team increased the pressure. In the 69th minute, Kim Tae-won dribbled the ball and shot from the edge of the penalty area, leveling the score at 1-1. However, the Vietnamese U23 team showed their resilience by quickly regaining the lead. In the 71st minute, from a free kick about 20 meters out, Dinh Bac unleashed a shot that went through the wall and into the corner of the net, leaving the South Korean goalkeeper helpless, raising the score to 2-1.

The drama continued to escalate when, in the 86th minute, Vietnam U23 were reduced to ten men after Dinh Bac received a direct red card. Playing with ten men in the final minutes, the red-shirted team was forced to retreat deep into their own half to defend against relentless pressure. Their tenacious defensive efforts were only broken in the 90+7th minute, when Shin Min Ha capitalized on a rare moment of laxness to equalize 2-2, forcing the match into two extra time periods.

In extra time, the South Korean U23 team continued to focus on long balls and intensified their attacks down the flanks, but Cao Van Binh and the Vietnamese defense held firm. The young goalkeeper consistently made accurate saves, neutralizing dangerous shots to keep the score unchanged and take the match to a penalty shootout.

In the penalty shootout, both teams demonstrated excellent penalty-taking skills, leading to a tense shootout that went to the sixth round, before Vietnam U23 ultimately secured the victory, bringing the thrilling match to a close.

The bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship is a milestone that affirms the new position of Vietnamese youth football on the continental stage. The Vietnam U23 team concluded the tournament with an image of resilience, unity, and great character.