Vietnam U23 determined to break the jinx against UAE: A challenge for Kim Sang-sik's team.

Vietnam U23 entered the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship as the biggest surprise of the tournament. Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, the team set an unprecedented milestone by winning all three group stage matches against Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and most notably, dethroning the defending champions Saudi Arabia. This was the first time in history that a Vietnamese football representative finished the group stage at the top with a perfect score.

The clash of historical extremes

Despite their current strong form, the "Golden Star Warriors'" next challenge is a formidable opponent with a long history: the UAE U23 team. The tournament's history, spanning seven editions, has shown the consistency of West Asian powerhouses, and the UAE is one of them, having reached the quarter-finals for the fourth time.

Notably, the history of their encounters is a psychological "ghost" that the young Vietnamese players need to overcome. In the eight previous clashes at the U23 level, Vietnam has never tasted victory against the West Asian representative, with a record of 4 draws and 4 losses. From defeats at the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games to the most recent friendly matches, the UAE has consistently shown a clear advantage over the Vietnamese players' style of play.

Analysis of the balance of forces

The UAE U23 team is currently led by coach Marcelo Broli – a renowned strategist who previously guided Uruguay U20 to victory in the 2023 U20 World Cup. Although they only advanced from the group stage with 4 points and their performance wasn't spectacular, the UAE's class and tactical adaptability are undeniable.

Conversely, the strength of the Vietnam U23 team lies in their high spirits and excellent physical condition. Finishing first in Group A allows Coach Kim Sang-sik's team to play at a later time (10:30 PM Hanoi time), avoiding the harsh heat and giving them more time to recover. The brilliance of individuals like Dinh Bac – who recently scored a goal against Saudi Arabia that was nominated for the best goal of the group stage – is further boosting the team's confidence.

Schedule for the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship

This year's knockout round features many exciting matchups and the rise of new names such as the Chinese U23 team – who have advanced beyond the group stage for the first time. The schedule is as follows:

The match between Vietnam U23 and UAE U23 will take place at 10:30 PM on January 16th. Fans are hoping for a perfect tactical plan to break the "jinx" of not having beaten UAE for over two decades, and to secure their place among the top four teams in the continent.