Vietnam records first perfect group-stage run at Asian championship

Under head coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam topped their group for the first time in 26 group-stage appearances across continental tournaments at senior, U23, U20, and U17 levels.

The team collected a maximum nine points after victories over Jordan (2-0), Kyrgyzstan (2-1), and Saudi Arabia (1-0), advancing to the quarterfinals as Group A winners ahead of Jordan (six points), Saudi Arabia (three), and Kyrgyzstan (none).

Previously, Vietnam had progressed beyond the group stage eight times at Asian championship tournaments but had never finished higher than second or third in their group.

The achievement also marks the first time a Vietnamese men's team have won all of their group-stage matches at an AFC Asian championship. Including football competitions at the Asian Games, Vietnam have previously achieved perfect group-stage records only twice, in 2014 in South Korea and in 2018 in Indonesia.

Excluding penalty shootouts, this is also Vietnam's first three-match winning streak in the group stage of a U23 Asian final tournament. The team will play their quarterfinal match on Jan. 16.

Nguyen Dinh Bac played a decisive role in the victory over Saudi Arabia. Introduced as a substitute for Le Viktor in the second half, the vice-captain scored the only goal with an individual effort in the 64th minute.

Nguyen Dinh Bac (7) celebrates after scoring in Vietnam's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 12, 2026. Photo by AFC

The result marked Vietnam’s first-ever win over Saudi Arabia at any national-team level, from U17 to senior teams, after 11 previous encounters that produced one draw and 10 defeats. The win was particularly notable as it came in Jeddah.

Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien was another standout performer, making seven saves and earning the Man of the Match award. Across the group stage, Vietnam conceded just one goal, an unprecedented defensive record in the history of the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

In official U23 matches, Vietnam are now on a 14-match winning streak, the longest in the team’s history. Within Southeast Asia, the regional record remains with Thailand’s U23 team, which won 17 consecutive official matches between 2003 and 2006 across the SEA Games, the Southeast Asian U23 Championship, and the Asian Games.

To match that mark, Kim Sang-sik’s side would need three more victories, requiring them to win the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.

 

 

Vietnam records first perfect group-stage run at Asian championship

KSA - VIE