U23 Vietnam will enter the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship with a big challenge named U23 UAE.
Although just closing the group stage after a convincing performance, especially the victory against host U23 Saudi Arabia, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team still have to face an opponent whose history of confrontations does not stand on their side.
In the past, U23 Vietnam has never defeated U23 UAE. The two teams have met 8 times in many different tournaments and the West Asian representative has an advantage with 5 wins and 3 draws. These numbers show that this is a difficult opponent, especially for teams from Southeast Asia.
U23 UAE squad uses many naturalized players. In the decisive match against U23 Syria, UAE had up to 3 players of African origin starting, notably striker Junior Ndiaye. The striker born in 2006 used to play for U17 France, currently playing in Ligue 2 for Montpellier. Ndiaye's goal against U23 Qatar in the group stage is proof of the value of naturalized factors in UAE's playing style.
In fact, the naturalization strategy has become a familiar direction of UAE football for more than a decade. Investing heavily in foreign players, especially from Africa and South America, helps their youth teams possess a superior physique, fitness and speed foundation.
However, from a professional perspective, U23 UAE is not too a sudden team. Commentator Quang Huy frankly assessed: "U23 UAE has a fairly balanced force. It is easy to see in them that there is no outstanding distinction. Vietnam has met UAE in the past and has had good matches, not at all inferior.
UAE is also different from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia possesses players with special qualities, playing football with rich breakthroughs, sometimes creating the feeling of a Brazilian player playing for an Asian team. UAE plays in a balanced way. They have a good physical foundation, have quality naturalized players, but if placed at the continental level, no individual is truly outstanding to create a difference.
Therefore, when meeting U23 UAE, it can be imagined that this is a match where we will be under physical pressure. However, if we maintain calmness, know how to overcome difficulties, resolve each moment and play with patience, we can completely trap them. UAE does not have individuals who are too special to turn the tide of the match".
According to commentator Quang Huy, U23 Vietnam avoiding U23 Japan - the number one candidate for the championship in the quarterfinals is also a significant advantage. "Green Samurai" although sending the U21 team to the Asian tournament, their strength is almost superior to other teams in the tournament.
Commenting on the upcoming match, commentator Quang Huy said: "When facing the UAE, we still need to play in a familiar way when facing West Asian teams. That is to ensure patience, create resilience, because the opponent is often considered a superior.
When we test their patience, the opponent may be confused and fall into the trap. I still expect the steadfastness and solid playing style of U23 Vietnam. We should not compete with UAE, because that will be disadvantageous against West Asian players. I believe that U23 Vietnam will succeed".
If they maintain the bravery shown in the group stage, especially against U23 Saudi Arabia, coach Kim Sang-sik's team has every reason to believe in a positive result against U23 UAE.
