Vietnam U23 wins all their matches, but Jordan celebrates emotionally; FIFA issues a shocking statement.

In the early morning of January 13, 2026, Vietnamese football continued to make history when the Vietnam U23 team brilliantly defeated the reigning runner-up, Saudi Arabia U23, with a minimal score of 1-0 in the final group stage match of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Entering what was considered the "Group A final," the Vietnam U23 team faced an immense challenge against Saudi Arabia U23 – a team with a rich tradition, possessing superior physical fitness and technical skills, and highly regarded for its experience in continental competitions. However, through disciplined play, composure, and strategic planning, the Vietnamese players withstood the suffocating pressure to secure all three valuable points.

In the earlier match, U23 Jordan defeated U23 Kyrgyzstan 1-0. Despite the victory, the Jordanian players couldn't control their own destiny. Whether they advanced depended entirely on the result of the U23 Vietnam vs. U23 Saudi Arabia match. After the final whistle blew in the Jordan vs. Kyrgyzstan game, the entire Jordanian team and coaching staff held their breath, watching the final minutes of the other match in the group.

Joy erupted among the Jordanian players as Vietnam U23 held on 1-0 against Saudi Arabia U23. The moment Vietnam U23 secured the victory, the Jordanian players were overwhelmed with emotion. This result earned Jordan U23 a place in the quarterfinals as runners-up in Group A, while Vietnam U23 topped the group with a perfect record. The Jordanian U23 team celebrated enthusiastically, from the stadium all the way to their hotel.

Notably, the Jordan U23 players also showed special appreciation by sending congratulations and thanks to the Vietnam U23 team. Many Jordan players shared their joy, affirming that the victory of the red-shirted team was clear evidence of fair play and dedication, despite the fact that the result directly affected the group standings.

In the quarter-finals, U23 Jordan will face a very strong opponent, U23 Japan. Meanwhile, U23 Vietnam is still waiting to determine their next opponent after the final matches of Group B conclude. With their current form, coach Kim Sang-sik's team has every reason to dream of going further in this year's tournament.

The official FIFA World Cup Fanpage quickly posted images of goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien and striker Nguyen Dinh Bac. These two were the most outstanding players in the victory against U23 Saudi Arabia. Notably, FIFA used a special metaphor: "Flying like TK, shooting like DB7." The use of abbreviated names and jersey numbers, a style often reserved for top world superstars, shows the special recognition that Vietnamese football has received from the international media.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) homepage also dedicated a post to celebrating the resilience of the Vietnam U23 team. The AFC emphasized: "Vietnam overcame the host nation and advanced to the knockout round as winners of Group A."

Experts praised Tran Trung Kien's outstanding performance, making him a solid "wall" in goal for the Vietnam U23 team. The goalkeeper consistently made world-class saves, neutralizing dangerous shots from the West Asian team and keeping a clean sheet throughout the tense 90 minutes. Further up the field, Nguyen Dinh Bac continued to assert his role as the most dangerous attacking threat with a decisive goal, showcasing sharp tactical awareness and refined finishing technique.

Vietnam U23 team urgently replaces goalkeeper ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship; VFF responds. Tuyết Linh16:45:56 31/12/2025Coach Kim Sang Sik has decided to call up goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai. Meanwhile, the U23 Vietnam coaching staff is closely monitoring the recovery process of striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan ahead of the U23 Asian Championship.