Vietnam Defeats UAE to Reach U23 Asian Cup Semifinals
Vietnam triumphed over UAE with a close 3-2 victory, securing a place in the semifinals of the U23 Asian Cup 2026. The match took place after two thrilling extra time periods, following a stalemate after 90 minutes.
Match Highlights
- Final Score: Vietnam 3, UAE 2
- Date: January 12, 2026
- Location: Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, Saudi Arabia
The game concluded in dramatic fashion, with Vietnam scoring the decisive goal in the second half of extra time. Midfielder Minh Phuc played a crucial role, netting the winning goal after a combination of skillful plays by his teammates, including a header assist from Dinh Bac.
High-Pressure Moments
Vietnam faced significant pressure from the UAE throughout the match. The UAE team aggressively sought to equalize but struggled to breach Vietnam’s resilient defense. Notable moments included several near misses from Khalfan and a controversial penalty appeal that was denied by referee Heydari.
Path to the Semifinals
This victory marked Vietnam’s historic advancement to the semifinals of the U23 Asian Cup, having topped Group A in the earlier stages. Their journey included wins against Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and the host nation, Saudi Arabia.
Team Statistics
- Vietnam’s Average Height: 1.765 m
- UAE’s Average Height: 1.793 m
- Average Age: Both teams are similar, with Vietnam at 22.22 and UAE at 22.13 years.
Despite their physical disadvantages, Vietnam’s tactical discipline and teamwork led them to overcome the challenges posed by UAE, a team renowned for its physicality and effective gameplay.
Historical Context
This match represents the fourth encounter between Vietnam and UAE in the U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals. Historically, Vietnam aimed to improve upon their best finish as runners-up in 2018, while UAE has yet to make it to the semifinals in this competition.
The upcoming semifinals are set for January 20, where Vietnam will face either Uzbekistan or China. Their current momentum bodes well as they seek to advance further in the tournament.
This victory not only symbolizes a significant achievement for Vietnamese football but also sets a promising precedent for future competitions.
