Dinh Bac does it again for Vietnam

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Dinh Bac does it again for Vietnam

Jeddah: Nguyen Dinh Bac is fast proving to be the man with the golden touch for Vietnam after notching his second goal at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ to help his team reach the semi-finals on Friday.

For the second match running, Dinh Bac was summoned from the bench to great effect, adding to his personal tally after his virtuoso winner against Saudi Arabia saw Vietnam finish top of Group A.

Replacing Le Viktor with 10 minutes left in the first half, Dinh Bac only needed four to make his mark in the quarter-final against the United Arab Emirates, setting up Vietnam’s opener for Nguyen Le Phat as the Southeast Asian side went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

Kim: Fitness was Vietnam’s strength

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Kim: Fitness was Vietnam’s strength

Jeddah:  Kim Sang-sik highlighted fitness as the major reason for Vietnam’s ability to overcome a spirited United Arab Emirates and reach the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

UAE fought back twice to draw level and force the quarter-final into extra time but Kim’s instruction to his players to keep pushing in the additional 30 minutes paid off handsomely with Pham Minh Phuc netting the winner as the Korea Republic tactician emulated compatriot Park Hang-seo in steering Vietnam into the semi-finals. 

Araki credits team effort for Japan’s shoot-out triumph

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Araki credits team effort for Japan’s shoot-out triumph

Jeddah: Rui Araki refused to accept the plaudits despite his penalty shoot-out saves taking Japan into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

The custodian - who was beaten for the first time in the tournament when Jordan took the lead through Ali Azaizeh - showed great confidence and agility in the shoot-out to stop the West Asian side’s first and fourth spot-kicks as Japan triumphed 4-2. 

Relieved Oiwa praises Japan’s resilience

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Relieved Oiwa praises Japan’s resilience

Jeddah: Go Oiwa lauded his players after his second half tweaks paved the way for Japan to sneak past Jordan into the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-finals on Friday.

Jordan took the lead 30 minutes into the match and in doing so, became the first side to score against the defending champions at Saudi Arabia 2026 but Oiwa’s decision to send on Shusuke Furuya at the start of the second half paid off handsomely, with the midfielder equalising four minutes after coming on.

The two-time champions failed to find a winner at the end of 120 minutes but prevailed 4-2 in the shoot-out to set up a semi-final against either Australia or Korea Republic on Tuesday. 

Broli calls for continued UAE exposure

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Broli calls for continued UAE exposure

Jeddah: Marcelo Broli was proud of his United Arab Emirates side's performance despite their 3-2 extra time defeat to Vietnam in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals on Friday.

While disappointed to have exited the competition, Broli applauded the fighting spirit of his players as they twice fought back to draw level before succumbing in extra time.

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Jeddah: Jordan head coach Omar Najhi admitted that fine margins proved decisive following his side’s quarter-final exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

Despite that, Najhi praised his players for their fighting spirit and maturity in the hard-fought contest which ended 1-1 after extra-time, with defending champions Japan winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.