Kha Y Tran Competition: AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026
Match: Vietnam U23 vs Saudi Arabia U23
Score: Vietnam U23 1–0 Saudi Arabia U23
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Date: January 12, 2026
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First Half: Saudi Pressure, Vietnam Stand Firm
From the opening whistle, Saudi Arabia U23 pushed forward with confidence. As expected, the hosts dominated possession and tried to press high up the pitch.
However, Vietnam U23 remained calm. Instead of chasing the ball, they focused on defensive shape and discipline. As a result, Saudi Arabia struggled to create clear chances.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien played a crucial role. He made several timely saves and commanded his area well. Although both teams produced a few half-chances, neither side could find a breakthrough.
Therefore, the first half ended 0–0, with Vietnam U23 earning praise for their organization.
Second Half: Dinh Bac Delivers the Breakthrough
After the break, the tempo stayed intense. Saudi Arabia continued to attack, while Vietnam patiently waited for mistakes.
Then, in the 64th minute, the turning point arrived. Nguyen Dinh Bac, coming on as a substitute, received the ball during a quick counter-attack. He beat his defender with confidence and fired a powerful shot from a tight angle.
As a result, Vietnam U23 took a shocking 1–0 lead, silencing the home crowd.
Moreover, the goal lifted Vietnam’s spirit and disrupted Saudi Arabia’s rhythm.
Late Drama and Defensive Masterclass
Following the goal, Saudi Arabia U23 increased their pressure. They sent more players forward and delivered balls into the box.
Nevertheless, Vietnam U23 defended with determination. The backline stayed compact and cleared danger effectively. At the same time, Tran Trung Kien continued his excellent performance with several key saves.
Despite intense pressure in the final minutes, Vietnam never lost focus. Eventually, the referee blew the final whistle, confirming a famous win.
Result and Significance
The match concluded with a historic 1–0 victory for Vietnam U23, marking several major milestones:
- Vietnam U23 topped Group A with a perfect record, winning all three group-stage matches.
- The team advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in commanding fashion.
- It was Vietnam U23’s first-ever victory over Saudi Arabia U23 at any competitive level.
Nguyen Dinh Bac was the match-winner with the only goal, while Tran Trung Kien earned widespread praise for his exceptional goalkeeping performance and was widely regarded as Man of the Match.
Follow the AFC Asian Cup on the official AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AFCAsianCup
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Quynh Bui 
