Vietnam’s Korean Coach Faces Home Country in U-23 Football Match

Vietnam’s U-23 football team is set to face Korea in a crucial third-place match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. The match will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. local time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This contest is particularly significant for Vietnam’s head coach, Kim Sang-sik, as it pits him against his home country.

Match Background

Vietnam’s journey in the tournament took a downturn when the team lost to China 3-0 in the semifinals. The match occurred at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. China scored three goals, with contributions from Peng Xiao, Xiang Yuwang, and Wang Yudong.

Prior to this defeat, Vietnam had a strong performance in Group A. They secured victories against Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Saudi Arabia, netting five goals while conceding only one. In the quarterfinals, they triumphed over the United Arab Emirates, winning 3-2 in extra time.

Coaching Achievements

Kim Sang-sik has been at the helm of Vietnam’s U-23 and senior men’s teams since May 2024. Under his leadership, 2025 has proved to be a landmark year. His senior squad clinched the ASEAN Championship in January, followed by the ASEAN U-23 title in July. Additionally, they achieved success at the Southeast Asian Games in December of the same year.

Korea’s Position

Korea’s team, led by coach Lee Min-sung, is also looking to bounce back after their semifinal loss to Japan, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. This matchup against Vietnam will mark their attempt to secure a third-place finish in the tournament. Korea is aiming to reclaim their position as champions, having not won since 2020.

Historical Context

Vietnam has yet to secure an AFC U-23 title, with their closest achievement being a runner-up finish in 2018, when they lost to Uzbekistan in the final. The third-place match provides a potential opportunity to claim a medal and heighten the team’s competitive stature.

Match Details

• Match: Vietnam vs. Korea
• Date: Friday
• Time: 6 p.m. local time / Midnight Korea time
• Location: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium, Jeddah

As the teams prepare for this pivotal match, all eyes will be on both the players and the coaches. The stakes are high, and a victory could provide a significant morale boost for Vietnam’s football ambitions on the Asian stage.