In a tightly contested match, Vietnam were initially caught out in the sixth minute when Saeed Almenhali finished clinically past Trung Kien, but the goal was ruled out after VAR review for a handball.
The UAE maintained heavy pressure thereafter, carving out several dangerous chances, including an effort that struck the crossbar.
Vietnam’s advantage lasted just three minutes, as French-born striker Junior Ndiaye rose to head home from close range and level the score for the UAE past goalkeeper Trung Kien.
In the second half, Dinh Bac continued to trouble the UAE defense. In the 63rd minute, Minh Phuc broke down the right flank, beat his marker, and delivered a cross that Bac headed into the far corner, beyond goalkeeper Khaled Tawhid, to restore Vietnam’s lead at 2-1.
As in the first half, the UAE responded swiftly. Just two minutes later, captain Mansoor Al Menhali rose to meet a left-wing cross and headed past Trung Kien to make it 2-2.
Undeterred by the 2-2 equalizer, the Vietnamese players remained disciplined, using varied passing combinations to continue troubling the UAE defense.
Coach Kim's side grew increasingly fluid and created several chances but were unable to put the match away within 90 minutes. Late in regulation time, the South Korean coach was constantly on the move on the touchline, observing closely and preparing his plans for extra time.
Vietnam continued to dominate in extra time, moving the ball with fluid passing sequences, and their persistence paid off in the 101st minute.
Center-back Nhat Minh drove forward, dribbling past two UAE players before firing a shot. The ball deflected off a defender, falling first to Thanh Nhan and then to Minh Phuc, whose decisive strike slipped past a UAE defender and beyond goalkeeper Khaled Tawhid, sealing the goal.
By protecting their one-goal lead through the end of extra time, Vietnam advanced to the semi-finals of the U23 Asian Cup for the second time, following their historic run in 2018, where they lost 2-1 to Uzbekistan in the finals's extra time to finish runners-up.
A group of jubilant Vietnamese fans waved flags and cheered from the stands at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, as the players made their way over to celebrate and share the moment with their supporters.
Following the victory over the UAE, the Vietnamese players will have three days to prepare for the semi-final against the winner of the Uzbekistan-China match.
Vietnam’s U23 Asian Championship 2026 semi-final will kick off at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Highlights of Vietnam's 3-2 victory over UAE in 2026 U23 Asian Cup semifinals.
