The Asian Football Confederation’s official channels had only four words for U23 Vietnam after their 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia: “Perfect and resilient Vietnam.” But those four words speak volumes about a historic, flawless group-stage campaign that is resonating far beyond the pitch.

By defeating the tournament hosts in their final Group A match, Vietnam not only booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, but also achieved something unprecedented: three wins from three, 9 points in total, and top of the group in commanding fashion. It’s a first for Vietnamese football at this level  -  and AFC took notice immediately.

Their succinct yet weighty post underscored what fans across the continent have come to realize: U23 Vietnam, under coach Kim Sang Sik, are no longer underdogs. They are contenders. That sentiment was echoed further in AFC’s earlier commentary, which read, “As they celebrated their win, echoes of ‘Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam’ will remain in the memories of these national heroes!”

On the field, that resilience and perfection were evident. A disciplined defense, bolstered by an inspired performance from goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, weathered wave after wave of Saudi Arabian attacks. Then, in the 65th minute, the breakthrough: Nguyen Dinh Bac, introduced at halftime, latched onto a precise pass from Ngoc My and buried the ball into the net from a tight angle.

The goal sealed the match, ended the hosts’ campaign, and cemented Dinh Bac’s reputation as a star. AFC cheekily celebrated the moment with a post: “Call Nguyen Dinh Bac, he delivers.”

That delivery  -  and the delivery of Vietnam’s dream run  -  has reverberated across Asia. Even the FIFA World Cup official page joined in with a viral tribute: “Flying like TK1, finishing like DB7,” referring to Trung Kien and Dinh Bac by their jersey numbers.

The numbers back up the excitement. Vietnam scored five goals, conceded just once, and became Southeast Asia’s most successful team in U23 Asian Cup history with seven outright wins  -  nine if penalty shootouts are counted. No other team in the region comes close.

Beyond the numbers, it’s the maturity and identity that set this team apart. “We played every game like a final,” midfielder Minh Phuc said. “We defended with composure, attacked with confidence, and stayed united under pressure. That’s the Vietnamese spirit.”

This version of the U23 team is fearless and well-drilled. Under Kim Sang Sik, Vietnam are undefeated in all official matches  -  from the U23 Southeast Asian Championship to SEA Games 33 and now, this continental campaign. The Korean coach, once a defender himself, has forged a team that plays with heart and precision.

“Before we arrived in Saudi Arabia, I never imagined the players would sacrifice and fight so hard for the collective,” said Kim after the win. “They’re truly remarkable.”

Remarkable too was the tactical maturity. Facing 26 shots from the hosts  -  seven on target  -  Vietnam stood firm, with Trung Kien making at least five critical saves. His performance drew praise from Saudi coach Luigi Di Biagio: “Their goalkeeper was exceptional. We couldn’t beat him.”

Saudi media described Vietnam’s win as “shocking,” lamenting the premature exit of the 2022 champions. “It was a do-or-die match, and we failed to deliver,” wrote Al-Hadath. “Vietnam punished us with their only real chance. That’s football.”

Vietnam’s win also handed U23 Jordan a lifeline. With a 1-0 win over Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia’s defeat, Jordan progressed in second place. Videos of Jordanian players dancing and thanking the Vietnamese team at their shared hotel went viral, showcasing the camaraderie forged through competition.

Back in Southeast Asia, admiration poured in from Thailand and Indonesia. “U23 Vietnam is on another level,” Siam Sport declared. “Even when resting key players, they controlled the game and executed their plan flawlessly.”

Fans across the region echoed that sentiment. One Thai fan posted: “We need to learn from Vietnam. They’ve surpassed us.” An Indonesian supporter wrote: “I doubted Vietnam, but they stunned Saudi Arabia with confidence and calm. Truly admirable.”

Even Vietnam’s decision to rotate their squad drew praise. Kim benched Dinh Bac and Le Phat to manage fatigue, yet his team remained defensively compact and mentally sharp. That squad depth could prove vital as they move deeper into the tournament.

In a surprising turn, midfielder Nguyen Phi Hoang  -  who did not play a single minute in the Saudi Arabia match  -  was randomly selected for doping control after the final whistle. This follows AFC protocol that selects players at random regardless of game time or performance.

Looking ahead, Vietnam will face the second-place team from Group B  -  either UAE or Syria  -  in the quarterfinals. Thanks to their perfect record, they’ve avoided tournament heavyweight Japan, who topped Group B with ease.

For now, though, Vietnamese fans are basking in the pride of a team that has not only advanced, but captured the imagination of a continent.

“We’re not done yet,” said Trung Kien. “We’ve come this far, and we’ll keep fighting  -  harder than ever.”

Dai Nam-Thien Binh