Vietnam Defeats South Korea on Penalties to Secure AFC U‑23 Third Place
Updated (2 articles)
Vietnam Secures Third Place via 7‑6 Penalty Victory Vietnam edged South Korea 7‑6 in the shootout after a 2‑2 draw at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah on Jan 23, 2026, clinching third place in the AFC U‑23 Asian Cup [1]. Nguyen Quoc Viet opened scoring at the 30th minute, Kim Tae‑won equalised in the 69th, and Nguyen Dinh Bac restored the lead two minutes later. Bac was shown a direct red card in the 86th minute, leaving Vietnam with ten men for the final minutes. Both sides converted all but one of their spot‑kicks, with Vietnam prevailing 7‑6.
South Korea Dominated Possession but Missed Opportunities The Korean side controlled 75.6 % of ball possession and outshot Vietnam 12‑3, registering 32‑5 shot attempts and delivering 61 crosses compared with Vietnam’s four, yet failed to break the deadlock in regular time [1]. Their high volume of chances produced no goals, highlighting a lack of composure in front of goal. The disparity between possession and result underscores inefficiency in the attacking phase.
Contrasting Paths to the Third‑Place Match South Korea finished second in Group C, defeated Australia 2‑1 in the quarter‑finals, then lost 1‑0 to Japan in the semi‑finals [1]. Vietnam topped Group A, overcame the UAE 3‑2 in the quarters, and were beaten 3‑0 by China in the semis before meeting Korea for third place. The differing group performances set the stage for a tightly contested placement game.
Coaches Emphasize Mental Fortitude and Future Preparation South Korea coach Lee Min‑sung described the U‑23 squad as a work in progress, urging better composure and sharper attacking play ahead of the Asian Games, where the nation targets a fourth consecutive gold medal [1]. Vietnam coach Kim Sang‑sik praised his players’ mental resilience despite fatigue and the red‑card setback. Both coaches view the match as a learning experience for upcoming tournaments.
Timeline
2020 – South Korea wins its only AFC U‑23 Asian Cup title, a benchmark that still defines the nation’s expectations for the tournament’s seventh edition. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – South Korea falls 2‑0 to Uzbekistan in its final group‑stage match, finishing second in Group C with four points and securing a quarter‑final berth despite dominating possession. [2]
Jan 23, 2026 – Vietnam defeats South Korea 7‑6 on penalties after a 2‑2 draw, clinching third place at the AFC U‑23 Asian Cup; Vietnam plays the last minutes with ten men following a red card. [1]
Jan 23, 2026 – South Korea coach Lee Min‑sung calls the U‑23 squad “a work in progress” and urges better composure and attacking sharpness, while Vietnam coach Kim Sang‑sik lauds his players’ mental fortitude despite fatigue. [1]
Jan 23, 2026 – Lee Min‑sung states that South Korea will sharpen its play ahead of the Asian Games, where the nation targets a fourth consecutive gold medal in the U‑23 competition. [1]