2026 AFC U23 Championship: Vietnam U23 faces the chance to 'upset' host Saudi Arabia

Vietnam U23 holds full control over their fate. With 6 points from two matches, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team needs only a draw to secure the top spot in the group and avoid tough opponents in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, host Saudi Arabia must win, and preferably by a large margin, to keep their hopes alive.

Once considered the top contender in Group A, Saudi Arabia U23 has been a big disappointment after two games. The 2-3 loss to Jordan U23 has pushed Coach Luigi Di Biagio’s squad into a corner and exposed serious flaws in their style of play.

Saudi Arabia U23 dominated possession but lacked efficiency in finishing, while their defense repeatedly left gaps vulnerable to counterattacks. Even their narrow 1-0 win over Kyrgyzstan U23 came only after playing with a man advantage for over 60 minutes and taking nearly 20 shots.

Nevertheless, the West Asian team remains a formidable force in Asian youth football. Their championship and clean sheet record in the 2022 AFC U23 Championship still serve as a clear warning. With physically strong and skilled players like Abdullah Radif and Musab Al-Juwayr, Saudi Arabia is sure to adopt an all-out attacking approach against Vietnam U23.

On the other hand, Vietnam U23 enters the match with a very different mindset. Two consecutive wins against Jordan U23 and Kyrgyzstan U23 have not only earned them a perfect 6 points but also built great confidence in their tactics and resilience.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team has shown clear growth: disciplined play, good organization, the ability to withstand pressure, and effective use of set pieces and quick counterattacks. Particularly, the squad depth and capacity to create breakthroughs from substitutes were highly praised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after their 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan U23.

Although a draw is sufficient, Vietnam U23 is unlikely to play cautiously. Past defeats have taught them that a single moment of lapse can drag the team into a risky tie-break situation. Therefore, taking initiative and maintaining full focus remain top priorities.

Given their current form and the clear weaknesses shown by Saudi Arabia, Vietnam U23 has solid grounds to aim for a positive result. If they maintain defensive discipline and capitalize on transition opportunities, the Red team not only can withstand the home side’s pressure but also consider a victory to conclude the group stage convincingly.