Vietnam Stuns UAE With Dramatic U23 Asian Quarterfinal Win

Under the dazzling floodlights of the 2026 U23 Asian Football Championship, U23 Vietnam delivered a performance for the ages, toppling U23 UAE 3-2 in a dramatic quarterfinal showdown on January 16. The match, held at 22:30 local time, saw the Vietnamese squad—familiarly known as the 'Golden Star Warriors'—book their ticket to the semifinals, marking a historic leap forward for Vietnamese football.

Coming into the clash, U23 Vietnam carried the momentum of a flawless group stage. They had swept Group A with victories over Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kyrgyzstan, a feat never before achieved in the nation’s football history. Their reward? A date with U23 UAE, the runners-up from Group B, who had edged past Syria on goal difference after a 1-1 draw in their final group match.

For Vietnamese fans, the quarterfinal matchup was more than just another game. History weighed heavily: in seven prior encounters between the two sides from 2014 to 2023, Vietnam had failed to register a single win, managing only two draws while suffering five defeats. The odds, on paper at least, seemed stacked in favor of the Emiratis.

But this was a new chapter, and Vietnam’s young stars were determined to write their own story. The opening exchanges were tense, with both teams probing for weaknesses. U23 Vietnam, under the guidance of coach Kim Sang Sik, pressed high and looked to disrupt UAE’s rhythm. In the first ten minutes, Vietnam registered the only shot on target, setting the tone for an energetic contest.

U23 UAE, meanwhile, fielded a formidable lineup featuring six naturalized players—Leonard Offoe Amesimeku, Solomon Sosu, and Richard Akonnor (all of Ghanaian descent), Junior Salif Ndiaye (from France), Adli Mohamed (from Bahrain), and Hazem Mohammad Abdullah Abbas (from Jordan). Their attack boasted strength, speed, and international pedigree, with Junior Ndiaye—a product of French football and currently at Montpellier in Ligue 2—partnering the physically imposing Mansoor Al Menhali up front.

Yet, for all their attacking prowess, UAE’s Achilles’ heel was their defense. They had conceded four goals in three group matches, a vulnerability Vietnam aimed to exploit. And exploit they did. In the 28th minute, after a period of sustained pressure, Vietnam broke the deadlock. A slick move down the flank culminated in a cross, and Lê Phát rose highest to nod the ball home, sending the Vietnamese bench and supporters into raptures.

UAE responded with urgency, and their persistence paid off in the 42nd minute. Junior Ndiaye, ever the threat, found space in the box and headed in the equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1 as the teams headed into halftime. The tension was palpable—neither side willing to give an inch.

The second half began with Vietnam making a tactical substitution, bringing on Quốc Cường for Xuân Bắc. The change injected fresh energy, and Vietnam soon regained the lead. In the 62nd minute, Minh Phúc whipped in a dangerous cross, and Đình Bắc executed a superb backward header that sailed past the UAE goalkeeper. The stadium erupted—Vietnam was up 2-1!

But as has so often been the case in knockout football, the drama was far from over. Just six minutes later, Mansoor Al Menhali struck back for UAE, heading home to restore parity at 2-2. With both teams pushing for a winner, chances came thick and fast. Vietnam’s Văn Khang and UAE’s Junior Ndiaye each came close, but the deadlock persisted until the end of regulation.

Extra time beckoned, and fatigue began to show. Yet, Vietnam’s determination never wavered. In the 117th minute—just three minutes from a penalty shootout—Vietnam found their moment of glory. Đình Bắc, already on the scoresheet, unleashed a direct free-kick that forced a fumble from the UAE goalkeeper. The ball ricocheted dangerously in the area, and, in the ensuing scramble, Vietnam managed to bundle it across the line. The celebrations were wild, the bench emptied, and the 'Golden Star Warriors' had one foot in the semifinals.

UAE threw everything forward in the dying moments, but Vietnam’s defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Trần Trung Kiên, held firm. The final whistle was met with scenes of jubilation—Vietnam had finally broken their duck against the Emiratis, and in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Speaking after the match, coach Kim Sang Sik praised his players’ resilience: "The boys gave everything tonight. We respected UAE’s strengths, especially their physicality and attacking power, but we believed in our ability to play our game. This victory is for all the fans who have supported us on this journey."

The result sent shockwaves across the tournament. Not only had Vietnam reached the semifinals for the first time after topping their group with a perfect record, but they had also toppled a team that had long been their nemesis on the continental stage. According to tournament records, U23 UAE had won four of their last ten matches across all competitions, scoring 18 and conceding 11—a testament to their firepower but also to their defensive frailties.

For Vietnam, the achievement was all the sweeter given the context. In the past, they had managed only two draws in seven meetings with UAE, including a goalless stalemate at the 2020 U23 Asian Championship. Now, with the monkey off their back, the squad can look ahead with renewed confidence.

Elsewhere in the tournament, the action continues with quarterfinal ties featuring U23 Uzbekistan against U23 China and U23 Australia facing U23 South Korea. Both matches are set to be broadcast live on TV360, VTV5, and VTV Cần Thơ, ensuring fans across Asia can follow every twist and turn.

But for now, all eyes in Vietnam are on their young heroes. With a place in the semifinals secured and the weight of history lifted, the 'Golden Star Warriors' have ignited dreams of even greater glory. The journey isn’t over yet, but this night in January will be remembered as the one when Vietnam finally conquered their old rivals and took a giant leap on the continental stage.