AFC reacts to Vietnam U23's victory over South Korea, makes strong statement regarding Dinh Bac's red card.

The AFC has just issued a strong assessment of Vietnam U23's nail-biting victory over South Korea U23. While praising the players' resilience, the AFC also made a harsh statement regarding Dinh Bac's red card, considering it a dangerous turning point in the match.

A spectacular free-kick and the captain's red card "blemish".

On its homepage, the AFC rated the match between Vietnam U23 and South Korea U23 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium as one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. The governing body of Asian football stated that Nguyen Dinh Bac was the player who had the most significant impact, both in terms of skill and fighting spirit. Before the incident, the number 7 striker had demonstrated his class with a perfect free-kick, sending the ball straight into the top corner of the net, restoring the lead for the Southeast Asian representatives.

However, the AFC did not hesitate to issue a strong statement regarding the striker's mistake. " Dinh Bac executed a beautiful free kick, but he himself put his team in a precarious situation by being sent off early in the 86th minute after a dangerous tackle," the AFC commented. This direct red card was seen as a negative turning point, stripping Vietnam U23 of control of the match and opening the opportunity for South Korea U23 to equalize 2-2 in the final seconds of injury time. Despite playing a leading role, Dinh Bac's lack of self-control forced his teammates into a grueling physical ordeal throughout extra time with only 10 players on the field.

The resilience to overcome adversity: When the Vietnam U23 team refused to give up.

What earned the AFC's special appreciation wasn't the win-loss result, but the way the Vietnam U23 team faced adversity after losing a player. Despite being heavily pressured and physically exhausted, Coach Kim Sang Sik's players maintained incredible organization and defensive discipline. The AFC noted: "The strength of the Vietnam U23 team lies in their unwavering spirit. They transformed difficulties into motivation to stand firm against South Korea's superior physical condition."

Amidst the relentless attacks from the South Korean team, goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình shone like a hero with a series of spectacular saves. The resilience of the Vietnamese defense dragged the match into a penalty shootout – where steely resolve once again prevailed. From the penalty spot, Cao Văn Bình successfully saved the seventh penalty, directly securing a historic 7-6 victory. According to the AFC, the captain's overcoming of the harsh challenge of a red card was the most symbolic representation of the maturity of Vietnamese youth football at this year's tournament.

A statement affirming our position on the continental stage.

The Vietnam U23 team concluded their 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship campaign with a convincing bronze medal. The AFC highly praised coach Kim Sang Sik's coherent tactical system, where individuals like Quoc Viet and Dinh Bac shone brightly. Although Dinh Bac's red card served as a lesson in composure, their journey in Saudi Arabia demonstrated the character of this new generation of players, ready to compete on equal footing with top opponents. This is an epic tale of willpower, opening up a promising future for the Vietnamese national team on their journey to continental prominence.

Korean media shocked by Vietnam's victory with 10 players, calling it a "disaster," Asia bows in admiration. Hải Dương07:53:46 24/01/2026Vietnam's nail-biting victory over South Korea in the third-place match of the AFC U23 Asian Championship created a real sensation in the South Korean media. Korean newspapers are still reeling from the shock.