Goalkeeper Cao Van Binh and his mark at the AFC U23 Asian Championship.
At the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, Cao Van Binh made a significant impact when, from a reserve position, the U23 Vietnam goalkeeper was given a chance in the bronze medal match and became a bright spot, making an important contribution to the U23 Vietnam team's achievement.
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At the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, Cao Van Binh was not a name frequently mentioned in the Vietnam U23 squad. Throughout the previous tournament, Tran Trung Kien was the first-choice goalkeeper of coach Kim Sang-sik, starting in the group stage, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, leaving his mark with consistent and reliable performance.
Therefore, before the bronze medal match against South Korea U23, most experts believed that Trung Kien would continue to be given the trust. However, in a bold decision, coach Kim Sang-sik chose Cao Van Binh to start. This was a major test for a young goalkeeper making his debut in a continental tournament, especially in a decisive match.
From the very first minutes, the Vietnam U23 team faced tremendous pressure from their physically strong and fast opponents. The ball was constantly pushed back into their own half, where Cao Văn Bình had to strain himself to defend against relentless attacks.
In the 27th minute, following a dynamic central midfield combination, MinJun unleashed a dangerous low shot from close range. Just when many thought a goal was imminent, Cao Văn Bình unexpectedly dived and made a precise save, blocking the shot at the last moment. It was a save that showcased exceptional reflexes and the qualities of a great goalkeeper.
Following that incident, confidence was evident in every movement of the goalkeeper born in 2005. His emotional fist-punching celebration not only showed his confidence but also affirmed that Van Binh is capable of shouldering the responsibility in goal.
Throughout the nail-biting 120 minutes, with the U23 Vietnam defense constantly depleted by injuries and suspensions, Cao Van Binh maintained a rare level of composure. The goalkeeper, born in 2005, blocked 18 shots and made numerous close-range saves when the defense was repeatedly put in dangerous situations.
The tension escalated in the penalty shootout, where Van Binh became the hero with a decisive save, securing victory and the Asian Bronze Medal for the Vietnam U23 team.
Cao Van Binh - the new pride of Nghe An football.
Behind that outstanding performance lies a long and arduous journey for the young man from Dien Chau commune, Nghe An province. Few know that Cao Van Binh began his football career as a forward. Back then, young Binh was famous in amateur leagues for his goal-scoring ability and intelligent playing style.
The turning point came in 2016, when Binh was called up to the Dien Chau children's team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Tournament. During a training session, because the main goalkeeper's performance was unsatisfactory, Binh was given a chance to try out in goal. That moment opened up a completely new path for him.
Cao Van Binh's early years at the Song Lam Nghe An training academy were far from smooth. From the U11 to U15 levels, he was frequently a reserve player, facing immense psychological pressure and even considering giving up football to return home and continue his studies. But it was precisely at this most difficult time that Binh chose to stay, overcoming his fear of the stands and his self-doubt.
The opportunity arose when he was chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the U15 Song Lam Nghe An team at the National U15 Championship. In a match watched by coach Hoang Anh Tuan in the stands, Cao Van Binh performed excellently, opening the door to the national youth teams. From then on, under the guidance of goalkeeping coach Vo Van Hanh, he matured rapidly both professionally and mentally.
That journey led Cao Van Binh to become a reliable choice for the Vietnam U17, U19, U20, and U23 teams. The bronze medal match at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship was the most brilliant milestone, where Van Binh affirmed his talent in the most challenging moments.
After the historic victory, Cao Van Binh humbly shared: “I would like to thank everyone who accompanied the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. It was the affection and support of the fans that fueled the team's spirit, motivation, and desire, leading to today's success.”
Hailing from the historically rich land of Nghe An, Cao Van Binh has stepped onto the continental stage with self-confidence and ambition. With his character and self-assurance, Cao Van Binh demonstrates that Vietnamese football now has another reliable goalkeeper capable of facing the long road ahead.
