South Korea Stunned By Vietnam In AFC U-23 Showdown

It was a night of high drama, heartbreak, and history in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the South Korean U-23 national football team suffered a stunning defeat to Vietnam in the 3rd place playoff of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. For the first time in their footballing history, South Korea fell to Vietnam at this level, ending their campaign with a 4th-place finish and a series of questions about the team’s direction and defensive frailties.

The showdown, held on January 24, 2026, at King Abdullah Sports City Hall, was more than just a battle for bronze. It pitted South Korea, a perennial powerhouse in Asian youth football, against a Vietnamese side led by none other than Kim Sang-sik—a South Korean coach who had already made waves by guiding Vietnam to the semifinals and orchestrating what many dubbed the “Miracle of the Final Four.”

From the outset, the stakes were sky-high. South Korea, under the stewardship of Lee Min-sung, was determined to salvage pride after missing out on the final. The team boasted a lineup featuring experienced campaigners like Jung Seung-bae of Suwon FC and Jeong Jae-sang of Daegu FC up front, with Kim Do-hyun and Jeong Ji-hoon providing width in a 4-4-2 formation. In midfield, Bae Hyun-seo and Kim Dong-jin anchored the play, while the defensive line included Jang Seok-hwan, Jo Hyun-tae, Shin Min-ha, and Kang Min-jun, with Hwang Jae-yoon guarding the net. The squad had seen significant changes since their semifinal loss to Japan, with six new faces entering the starting eleven.

Despite holding over 60% possession and unleashing a staggering 32 shots to Vietnam’s 5, South Korea struggled to convert dominance into goals. Early warning signs appeared when Kang Min-jun’s sharp effort was denied by the Vietnamese keeper. Then, in the 30th minute, disaster struck: Nguyen Dinh Bac’s incisive cutback found Nguyen Quoc Viet, whose left-footed strike gave Vietnam a shock lead. South Korea thought they had a lifeline moments later when a penalty was initially awarded for a challenge on Jung Seung-bae, only for it to be overturned after a VAR review.

Trailing 0-1 at halftime, Lee Min-sung responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Kang Sung-jin, Lee Hyun-yong, and Lee Chan-wook. The changes injected urgency, but not precision, as shot after shot failed to find the back of the net. The Vietnamese defense, missing two regular starters due to injury and suspension, dug in, while South Korea’s attacking frustration grew.

The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute. Substitute Kim Tae-won, just seven minutes after entering the fray, drove into the box and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot to level the scores. The joy was short-lived, however. Barely two minutes later, Vietnam’s Dinh Bac, already a provider, curled a free-kick beyond Hwang Jae-yoon to restore Vietnam’s advantage.

With time slipping away and pressure mounting, South Korea pressed relentlessly. Vietnam’s Dinh Bac was shown a straight red card in the 85th minute for a dangerous tackle, reducing his side to ten men. The numerical advantage spurred Korea on, and deep into stoppage time—seven minutes added—Shin Min-ha pounced on a loose ball in the box, smashing home a dramatic equalizer to send the match into extra time.

Extra time saw Korea pile forward, but fatigue and nerves began to show. Lee Hyun-yong’s header in the second period of extra time narrowly missed the target, and despite their one-man advantage, South Korea simply could not break through the resolute Vietnamese defense. With the score locked at 2-2 after 120 minutes, it all came down to penalties.

The shootout was a nerve-shredding affair. Both teams converted their first five penalties, forcing sudden death. On the seventh round, South Korea’s Bae Hyun-seo saw his effort saved by the Vietnamese goalkeeper. Up stepped Nguyen Thanh Nhan, who coolly slotted home to seal a 7-6 penalty triumph for Vietnam and consign Korea to an agonizing defeat.

“We had our chances, but we couldn’t finish,” said Lee Min-sung, the visibly distraught Korean coach, after the match. “This is a result that will hurt for a long time, especially given our history against Vietnam.”

Indeed, history weighed heavily on the night. Prior to this match, South Korea had never lost to Vietnam at the U-23 level, boasting a record of six wins and three draws. The defeat not only snapped that unbeaten streak but also marked a new low following earlier losses in the tournament to Uzbekistan and Japan’s U-21 side.

Vietnam, meanwhile, celebrated their best finish since finishing runners-up in 2018 under Park Hang-seo. Kim Sang-sik, the mastermind behind Vietnam’s run, was lauded for his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his team against the odds. “It’s a proud moment for Vietnamese football,” Kim remarked. “The players showed heart, discipline, and courage.”

For South Korea, the disappointment was compounded by a string of injuries—ten players sidelined during the tournament—and persistent defensive lapses. The team’s record of six wins and three losses belied the struggles evident in the latter stages, particularly against teams fielding younger squads.

With the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup now in the books, attention turns to the future. The next edition of the tournament is scheduled for September 2027, and for South Korea, there are hard lessons to digest. The defeat also casts a shadow over their preparations for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, both seen as vital milestones for the nation’s footballing ambitions.

As the team returns to Seoul, the mood is somber but reflective. The pain of this historic defeat will linger, but so too will the lessons. For Vietnamese football, it’s a night to remember. For South Korea, it’s a wake-up call—one that demands introspection, renewal, and a fresh commitment to reclaiming their place atop Asian football.