Viet Tri, 9 September, 2025 – On the evening of September 9, U23 Vietnam defeated U23 Yemen 1-0 in the final match of Group C at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. The victory not only sealed top spot in the group but also earned coach Kim Sang Sik’s side a ticket to the finals, set to take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2026.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, coach Kim Sang Sik expressed his satisfaction with the result and appreciation for the fans: “I congratulate the players. They gave everything to secure the win and qualification. I also thank the supporters who came to cheer us on at the stadium.”
Throughout the qualifying campaign, the Korean tactician rotated his squad heavily, giving opportunities to a wide range of players. Addressing the approach, Kim explained: “I had personnel plans depending on each match to help individuals maximize their abilities. Tonight’s adjustments worked well, and I am very happy with the outcome.”
U23 Vietnam’s qualification inevitably drew comparisons to the historic 2018 AFC U23 Asian Cup, when under Park Hang Seo the team reached the final before narrowly losing to Uzbekistan. However, Kim was quick to downplay any pressure from that milestone: “This U23 squad is completely different from the one coached by Park Hang Seo. We do not think too much about the past. Our focus is on giving our best and aiming for the best possible result in next year’s tournament.”
The decisive goal against Yemen came from forward Nguyen Thanh Nhan, who expressed relief and joy at breaking his personal drought: “I am very happy. After missing out on playing at the ASEAN U23 Championship, I was determined to prove myself at these qualifiers. Today’s goal has helped me release all that pressure.”
On the other side, Yemen coach Amar Al Sunaini admitted it was a difficult match against the host nation: “We had chances but could not take advantage. Vietnam are a strong team who improved with each game and gave us many problems. If we had scored at the end of the first half, things might have been different. Despite the loss, I am proud of my players. They fought hard even though we face many challenges back home. I was impressed by Vietnam’s team spirit – they are one of the strongest collectives in Asia.”
With the victory, U23 Vietnam completed the qualifiers with a perfect record of three wins, scoring four goals and conceding none. The result highlights not only the depth of the current squad but also the confidence instilled by Kim Sang Sik as the team looks ahead to another continental campaign.
Hong Phuc
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