The third-place match of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship between U23 Vietnam and U23 Korea takes place in the context that coach Kim Sang-sik's team faces a series of difficulties in terms of force.
After a series of prolonged tense matches, U23 Vietnam was forced to recalculate the personnel plan, leading to significant adjustments in the starting lineup.
The most significant shortage comes from the center-back position. U23 Vietnam lost 2 center-backs at the same time, Nguyen Hieu Minh due to serious injury and Pham Ly Duc due to suspension after a red card. This is a big loss as both regularly start and play an important role in the defense system.
At this time, coach Kim Sang-sik has almost no other choice but to use Le Van Ha and Nguyen Duc Anh. Although they have not had many opportunities to play in this year's tournament, this duo is still considered capable of completing their tasks if they are well supported from the midfield.
In the goalkeeper position, goalkeeper Trung Kien still ensures the number one position. However, the possibility of personnel rotation is not excluded. The final match may be a suitable time for Cao Van Binh to be given the opportunity to start, especially when the coaching staff needs more options to assess the force for the next tournaments.
Another problem lies in the attack, when Nguyen Dinh Bac no longer ensures the best physical foundation. The number 7 striker endured the pain of playing in the quarter-final match against U23 UAE and continued to be used in the semi-finals against U23 China.
However, having to face players with superior physique and a rich touch style of play made Dinh Bac reveal signs of overload. His ability to move, accelerate and finish was clearly limited compared to previous matches.
In the context that the 3rd place match is not decisive with less pressure, the coaching staff is unlikely to risk using Dinh Bac, even letting him rest completely to avoid the risk of injury recurrence.
In attack, players who were given opportunities in previous matches such as Nguyen Ngoc My and Nguyen Le Phat have performed quite well and can continue to hold a starting spot.
Conversely, Nguyen Quoc Viet and Nguyen Cong Phuong have not shown stable form, making the possibility of continuing to be used from the beginning not high. Coach Kim Sang-sik can bring Khuat Van Khang back to the attacking midfielder role to increase the ability to connect the playing style, and at the same time arrange Nguyen Phi Hoang to play on the left wing to create more flexibility.
With these adjustments, the U23 Vietnam squad in the third-place match is likely to be significantly different from previous matches. This is not only a temporary solution in the face of force difficulties, but also an opportunity for the coaching staff to further assess personnel options in actual competition conditions.
Against the opponent U23 Korea with a stable force and uniform quality, U23 Vietnam will have to carefully calculate in each position, in order to limit risks and maintain balance in their playing style.
Expected lineup of U23 Vietnam: Tran Trung Kien; Le Van Ha, Nguyen Duc Anh, Nguyen Nhat Minh; Pham Minh Phuc, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Xuan Bac, Nguyen Phi Hoang; Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Ngoc My, Nguyen Le Phat.
