Korean media directly points to U23 Vietnam's potential to win the Asian Championship

South Korean media holds U23 Vietnam in high regard at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, with some predicting that Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad may secure the championship.

Following the SEA Games 33 gold medal, the U23 Vietnam team has attracted significant attention and high expectations from continental media at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Recently, South Korean media unexpectedly included U23 Vietnam among the favorites to win this tournament.

SPOTV News stated:“U23 Vietnam is considered a strong contender for the AFC U23 Championship title. Traditionally, this honor belongs to football powerhouses in Asia such as South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.”

The Korean press hopes Coach Kim Sang Sik will continue the sensation that Coach Park Hang Seo once created in Vietnamese football:“After winning the SEA Games gold on December 18, Coach Kim Sang Sik completed a hat-trick of titles in Southeast Asian tournaments. This achievement allows him to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Park Hang Seo, once again sparking the ‘Korean coach fever’ in Vietnam.

This time, the Korean coach leads a young generation aiming to conquer the highest level in the fourth consecutive major tournament. In the upcoming competition, U23 Vietnam is placed in Group A alongside hosts U23 Saudi Arabia, U23 Jordan, and U23 Kyrgyzstan.

Many believe this AFC U23 Championship will be a “real test” for Coach Kim Sang Sik, since his previous titles with Vietnamese football—such as the AFF Cup 2024, the U23 Southeast Asia Championship, and the SEA Games—are all regional achievements within Southeast Asia. Therefore, proving competitiveness at the continental level is seen as an essential requirement,”SPOTV News commented.

Earlier, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also praised Đình Bắc and his teammates in this year's tournament by including U23 Vietnam among the teams with a chance to win the championship, following their runner-up finish in the 2018 edition.