Vietnam U23 vs Saudi Arabia: A plan to top the group based on aerial vulnerability.
With a squad boasting superior physical attributes, coach Kim Sang-sik's team is ready to exploit the defensive weaknesses of U23 Saudi Arabia to advance to the quarterfinals as group winners.
Entering the decisive match to determine the top spot in Group A at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, Vietnam U23 possesses crucial strategic assets to face Saudi Arabia U23. After two consecutive victories, coach Kim Sang-sik's team not only holds a points advantage with a perfect 6 but also boasts superior analytical statistics that could help them overcome the West Asian representative.
Weaknesses in psychology and defensive systems under pressure.
Despite being considered one of the title contenders, the Saudi Arabia U23 team revealed significant weaknesses after their 2-3 defeat against Jordan U23. Data analysis showed that, although they consistently dominated the game with an average possession rate of 62%, this system became extremely fragile when subjected to high-pressure pressing from their opponents.
Specifically, statistics show that under direct pressure, the West Asian team's ball possession rate dropped sharply to 33%. Communication between the defense and goalkeeper was frequently disrupted, leading to 15 fouls and 3 yellow cards in a state of fluctuating morale when trailing. This is the "Achilles' heel" that the agile forwards of the Vietnam U23 team can exploit with aggressive pressing in the opponent's half.
Physical advantage: Kim Sang-sik's aerial weapon.
One of the most notable aspects of this match was the height difference between the Vietnamese U23 attack and the Saudi Arabian U23 defense. Except for center-back Khalid Asiri, who is 1.85m tall, the remaining players in the opposing team's defense, such as Abdulrahman, Awad Dahal, and Sulaiman Hazazi, are all relatively short, ranging from 1.70m to 1.78m.
Conversely, coach Kim Sang-sik possesses "rock-solid" players with excellent aerial abilities. With Nguyen Hieu Minh (1.84m), Le Van Ha (1.84m), and Pham Ly Duc (1.82m), the Vietnam U23 team can absolutely make a difference in set-piece situations or aerial balls. This is not only a defensive option but also a powerful attacking weapon to punish the opponent's short defense.
Tactical planning to blockade the border corridor.
Besides exploiting aerial balls, the U23 Vietnam coaching staff has also carefully prepared strategies to contain the opponent's attacking power. The focus of the defensive formation will be to seal off the two flanks, where the duo of Musab Al Juwayr and Rakan Al Ghamdi frequently create breakthroughs.
Player Phi Hoang stated that the entire team had received detailed instructions to drop deep to support the defense, ready to provide cover to minimize the opponent's crosses. Discipline in their play and the ability to capitalize on individual mistakes by the opponent will be key for the Vietnam U23 team to successfully defend their leading position, thereby creating a favorable psychological momentum for the knockout round.
