U23 Vietnam and U23 Korea Republic are ready for a third-place playoff to search for the title at the U23 Asian Cup 2026
Vietnam and Korea Republic will enter the U23 Asian Cup 2026 third-place playoff at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.
Vietnam v Korea Republic details – AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Third-place
- AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™
- Thursday, 22 January 2026 | Jeddah
Vietnam and Korea Republic will have one final opportunity to close out their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ campaigns on a positive note when they meet in the third-place playoff on Friday evening at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.
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Both sides arrive in Jeddah carrying the emotional weight of semi-final disappointment. Vietnam U23 were outplayed 3-0 by a dominant China PR, while Korea Republic U23 fell narrowly to defending champions Japan, undone by a single first-half strike. With the title dream gone, pride, progress and history now provide ample motivation.
AFC U23 Asian Cup – China PR and Japan set for final
Vietnam: One More Step in a Growing Journe
For Vietnam, this playoff represents far more than a consolation fixture. Since their historic run to the final in 2018, the Southeast Asian side have steadily rebuilt, and their presence in the final four once again underlines tangible progress.
Head coach Kim Sang-sik has repeatedly praised his players’ resilience, particularly in a tournament where Vietnam have consistently faced opponents with superior physical profiles.
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“From the first game until today, we have consistently faced opponents who were physically stronger than us,” Kim said. “But our players showed great determination. We have grown a lot during this tournament.”
Vietnam’s campaign has been defined by discipline, collective organisation and moments of attacking sharpness. They have conceded six goals so far – a manageable number by their historical standards – and have already kept two clean sheets, matching their best return in any previous edition. Another shutout would mark new ground.
Key attacking responsibility once again falls on Nguyen Cong Phuong and Nguyen Dinh Bac, whose movement and link-up play have driven Vietnam forward throughout the tournament. Set-pieces and quick transitions remain Vietnam’s most potent weapons, particularly against opponents who push high.
However, at the back line, Kim will face a tough decision as Hieu Minh and Ly Duc are out for injury and a red card, respectively. The tactics must be changed if the Southeast Asian side wants to surprise the opponents.
The prize is significant: victory would secure Vietnam’s best-ever finish since their runners-up showing in 2018 and further cement their place among Asia’s emerging U23 forces.
Korea Republic: Searching for Balance and Efficiency
Korea Republic enter the playoff with mixed emotions. On one hand, their semi-final display against Japan showed tactical discipline and defensive structure; on the other, a lack of cutting edge in the final third proved costly.
Head coach Lee Min-sung was candid in his post-match assessment.
“In terms of scoring, we have a lot of things we have to fix. We need a better balance in our game to create more chances and control matches.”
Despite that, Korea Republic’s attacking depth remains one of the tournament’s most impressive. They boast six different scorers, more than any team except Japan, and a total of ten different players have been involved in goal contributions – a sign of variety and tactical flexibility.
Players such as Kang Seong-jin, Kim Tae-won and Baek Ga-on offer pace and directness, while Korea’s midfield structure allows them to dominate possession phases. The challenge on Friday will be turning control into goals against a compact Vietnamese block.
Historically, Korea Republic have struggled in this fixture, losing third-place playoffs in both 2013 and 2018. Ending that streak adds another layer of motivation.
Tactical Battle: Control v Compactness
Friday’s encounter is likely to hinge on contrasting styles. Korea Republic will look to impose tempo, circulate possession and stretch Vietnam horizontally, while Vietnam are expected to sit compact, absorb pressure and strike on the break.
Set-pieces could prove decisive. Vietnam have shown consistent threat from dead-ball situations, while Korea Republic’s aerial strength offers them a counter-advantage at both ends.
Mental recovery will also play a crucial role. With only a short turnaround after emotionally draining semi-finals, the side that resets quicker may gain the edge.
History and Milestones at Stake
This will be the third meeting between the two sides at the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Korea Republic remain unbeaten in previous encounters, winning 2-1 in 2018 and drawing 1-1 in 2022.
For Vietnam, a win would not only rewrite that record but also represent a symbolic breakthrough against one of Asia’s traditional youth powerhouses.
For Korea Republic, third place would offer tangible reward for a campaign that promised much and serve as a platform for further growth heading into future Olympic and continental cycles.
