Vietnam U23 face South Korea U23 in Asiad 2026 quarterfinal: Defending champions warned not to be complacent

Vietnam U23 will face defending champion South Korea U23 in the men's football quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games, with the match scheduled for 17:30 on September 25 in Japan. This is a rematch full of history, because only eight months ago Vietnam U23 defeated South Korea U23 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. At the tournament in Saudi Arabia in January, Vietnam U23 drew 2-2 with South Korea U23 over 120 minutes in the third-place match, then won 7-6 on penalties. That victory gave Vietnamese youth football a historic bronze medal and left Korea with a painful memory. At the 2026 Asian Games, Korea have a chance to change that story. The context before this quarterfinal is quite different. Vietnam U23 are weaker after losing Nguyen Dinh Bac and several key defenders. South Korea U23, meanwhile, have been reinforced by nine new players based in Europe and three overage players. Coach Lee Min Sung now has a deeper and more experienced squad. South Korea U23 showed their strength by beating Qatar U23 4-1 and Saudi Arabia U23 2-0 to win Group D. Those results showed attacking quality and defensive solidity. But the Korean players still appear very cautious. Captain Lee Gi Hyuk, one of the three overage players and a Gangwon FC player, warned his teammates not to be complacent against Vietnam. He noted that Vietnam U23 just lost to Uzbekistan U23, so they will enter the match with great determination. Lee said he told the team to maintain full concentration at all times. “Vietnam U23 just experienced a defeat to Uzbekistan U23. Therefore, they will enter the quarterfinal with very high determination. So I reminded my teammates not to be careless and to always maintain a high level of focus,” Lee Gi Hyuk told The Chosun. Lee Gi Hyuk can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. He suffered a bruised shin after a collision in the 27th minute against Saudi Arabia, but he still played the full match. The injury is not considered serious, and he is expected to be available against Vietnam. Korean media have also warned. Sports Hankook wrote that Lee Min Sung’s team must be careful against Vietnam U23 even though Kim Sang Sik is not on the opposing bench. The newspaper said Vietnam U23 still possess the ability to organize their defense and quickly transition into attack. “Practical defending, aggressive pressing in midfield and quick counter-attacks into space on both flanks are Vietnam U23’s weapons. What is most frightening about them is not the player names, but their durable physical foundation and the mentality of having nothing to lose,” Sports Hankook commented. The lesson from the U23 Asian Cup is that Vietnam U23 are very hard to beat when they sit deep. They do not need to control possession, but they become very dangerous when there is space to counter-attack. If Korea rush things, push too high and lose the ball in midfield, they could pay a heavy price. Lee Min Sung will likely demand patience from his players. Instead of playing into crowded central areas, South Korea U23 could target the space behind Vietnam’s full-backs. But every long pass carries risk. If Vietnam intercept the ball, they can transition instantly and create chances through the wide areas. Vietnam U23 must remain compact and maintain good covering. Missing key defenders will affect their coordination, but young players often show great determination. If they keep tactical discipline for 90 minutes, the match becomes highly unpredictable. There is also the psychological memory of January’s shootout. Vietnam U23 stood under huge pressure and won. South Korea U23 lost in the most stressful moment against the same opponent. That memory can create an invisible barrier. In knockout football, names and reputation do not decide the result. A stronger team can still be eliminated because of one moment of lost concentration, one individual mistake, or one set-piece situation. That is why Sports Hankook used strong words to warn South Korea. Vietnam U23 enter the game as underdogs, and that can be an advantage. When a team has nothing to lose, it is easier to play freely and with full energy. When the opponent carries the pressure of being the defending champion, they are more likely to make mistakes. The match could be decided in regular time, extra time, or penalties. If it goes to a shootout, Vietnam’s calmness under pressure will be crucial. But before thinking about penalties, Vietnam must survive 120 minutes against a team with superior individual quality. In the end, this match will be defined not by history but by what happens on the pitch. Vietnam U23 have already proved they can beat South Korea U23 when the pressure is highest. On September 25, they will get another chance to write history.