Vietnam Under 23 have reached the Asian Games quarter-finals and now face a familiar rival. Their next opponent is South Korea Under 23, a team they know well from past knockout battles. The last time these sides met in a high-stakes match, Vietnam took home the bronze after a tense penalty shootout. This time, both teams are at full strength. No key players are missing. The pressure is high and the stakes are clear.
South Korea Under 23 come in as group winners. They beat Saudi Arabia Under 23 2-0 to finish top of Group D. Their squad is deep and physical, and many see them as favourites for the gold. Vietnam's path was tougher. They finished second in Group C with four points. Their group stage included a 1-1 draw with Kuwait Under 23, a 2-0 win over the Philippines Under 23, and a 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan Under 23. The group standings shifted when the Philippines beat Kuwait, which allowed Vietnam to advance despite their defeat to Uzbekistan.
The quarter-final between South Korea U23 and Vietnam U23 is officially scheduled for 25 September 2026 at 7:30 p.m. local time at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Rugby Field.
Coach Dinh Hong Vinh knows the mental side is just as important as tactics. He said, "Regardless of the opponent, we must be mentally prepared for the quarter-final." His team has learned this lesson in tough matches. In the 2018 Asian Games semi-final, South Korea knocked out Vietnam 3-1. Vietnam also lost 1-2 to South Korea in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship group stage. But in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship bronze medal match, Vietnam held South Korea to a 2-2 draw after extra time and then won 7-6 on penalties. That result showed the gap between the teams is closing.
Both coaches are expected to start their best line-ups. South Korea's likely starters are goalkeeper Kim Jun Hong; defenders Bae Hyun Seo, Choi Seok Hyun, Kim Ji Soo, Kim Myung Jun; midfielders Lee Ji Hyuk, Lee Hyun Joo, Lee Seung Won, Yang Min Hyuk; and forwards Eom Ji Sung and Shin Min Ha. Vietnam's probable eleven includes goalkeeper Cao Van Binh; defenders Nguyễn Phi Hoàng, Nguyễn Đức Anh, Phạm Lý Đức, Lê Nguyên Hoàng; midfielders Phạm Minh Phúc, Nguyễn Xuân Bắc, Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường; and attackers Nguyễn Quốc Việt, Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn, Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ.
The match kicks off at 5:30pm on 25 September. Both teams want to prove their progress on the Asian stage. Vietnam's youth teams have shown more composure and grit in recent years. This game will decide who moves to the semi-finals and whether Vietnam's experience can shake South Korea's strong record.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, South Korea U23 secured their quarter-final spot by defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 and finishing first in Group D. Meanwhile, Vietnam U23 advanced as Group C runners-up despite a 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan, thanks to the Philippines' win over Kuwait, which ensured Vietnam's progression to the knockout stage.
Vietnamese football has turned heads since their bronze medal run. But as recent coverage of Vietnam's sporting fortunes shows, there is little room for error at this level. The Asian Games quarter-final is more than just another match. It is a real test of whether Vietnam can turn promise into lasting results against the region's best.
With both squads healthy and a history of close games, this quarter-final could go either way. Vietnam's Under 23s have a chance to surprise again, but South Korea's pedigree is hard to ignore. Mental strength and tactical discipline will decide it. For Vietnam, this is a chance to change their football story-and the challenge is as big as ever.
