Saudi Arabia, 6 January 2026 – VAR proved decisive as Nguyen Dinh Bac and Hieu Minh struck at key moments to help U23 Vietnam defeat U23 Jordan 2–0 in their Group A opener at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
On the evening of January 6, U23 Vietnam made a statement in their opening match of Group A at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, producing a disciplined and convincing 2–0 victory over U23 Jordan. Facing an opponent known for physical strength, direct play and aerial dominance, head coach Kim Sang-sik instructed his players to prioritize tactical discipline and defensive security from the outset.
U23 Vietnam controlled the tempo effectively, circulating the ball quickly and limiting Jordan’s ability to impose their direct style. Long-range efforts were used as a proactive attacking option, forcing the West Asian side’s defense into frequent action and preventing them from pushing too high up the pitch.
The turning point arrived from a corner kick situation when the referee consulted VAR and ruled that a U23 Jordan defender had handled the ball inside the penalty area. On the spot, Nguyen Dinh Bac showed composure to convert the penalty, giving U23 Vietnam the lead. The opening goal boosted the confidence of the Vietnamese players, while Jordan were compelled to raise their tempo in search of an equalizer.
In response, U23 Jordan increased pressure with crosses and set-piece deliveries, but Vietnam’s back line remained compact and well organized. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien was assured in his handling, calmly dealing with a series of balls into the box and keeping his team in control.
While Jordan relied heavily on long balls and aerial approaches, U23 Vietnam continued to exploit set pieces with greater efficiency. In the 42nd minute, another corner kick proved decisive as center-back Nguyen Hieu Minh arrived at the far post to tap in from close range, doubling the lead. Shortly before halftime, Jordan came close to pulling one back from a free kick that rattled the crossbar, but luck stayed with the Vietnamese side as they went into the break two goals ahead.
The second half saw U23 Jordan push forward aggressively, applying sustained pressure through aerial balls and long-range shots. Vietnam’s defensive unit, marshaled by Hieu Minh, responded with focus and commitment, throwing themselves into challenges and blocking shooting lanes. Tran Trung Kien continued to impress, cleanly handling multiple efforts from distance despite Jordan creating several dangerous moments.
With Jordan committing more players forward, U23 Vietnam dropped slightly deeper to protect their advantage. Kim Sang-sik made a series of substitutions to reinforce defensive stability and refresh the attack, introducing Le Van Thuan, Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, Vo Anh Quan and Nguyen Quoc Viet. These changes helped maintain balance and reduced the physical load on key players.
As the match entered its closing stages, Jordan grew increasingly impatient, sending a high volume of balls into Vietnam’s penalty area. However, the disciplined defensive structure and intelligent positioning of the Vietnamese players ensured that most attacks lacked the precision needed to threaten seriously. Several powerful shots were attempted, but none were enough to beat Tran Trung Kien.
U23 Vietnam closed out the match calmly, minimizing risk and preserving the 2–0 scoreline. With tactical discipline, strong mental resilience and timely contributions from Dinh Bac and Hieu Minh, Kim Sang-sik’s side secured a highly encouraging start to their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 campaign, laying a solid foundation for the challenges ahead in Group A.
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