AFC U23 Asian Cup
While Kim Sang-sik expects his Vietnam side to continue their impressive group stage form, UAE’s Marcelo Broli is optimistic his players will rise to the occasion and advance to the semi-finals for the first time.
Vietnam topped Group A with a perfect record of three wins while UAE had to fend off a strong Syria to advance as the Group B runners-up.
Vietnam topped Group A with a perfect record of three wins while UAE had to fend off a strong Syria to advance as the Group B runners-up.
While Kim acknowledged that UAE had the physical advantage over his side, the Korea Republic tactician said Vietnam had shown in the group stage the improvement made by Southeast Asian sides.
“Each UAE player has quite high abilities so we have to prepare well,” said Kim. “They are physically stronger and faster than us but technique and organisation wise, I feel we are better and we need to utilise our extra day of rest well."
“Each UAE player has quite high abilities so we have to prepare well,” said Kim. “They are physically stronger and faster than us but technique and organisation wise, I feel we are better and we need to utilise our extra day of rest well."
“Our group stage result shows how strong Southeast Asian football is but we are still not done and I’m hungry to achieve more in this tournament.”
A potential setback for Vietnam is the fitness of star forward Nguyen Dinh Bac, who scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Monday but Kim believes his side can cope with any eventuality.
A potential setback for Vietnam is the fitness of star forward Nguyen Dinh Bac, who scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Monday but Kim believes his side can cope with any eventuality.
#AFCU23 Saudi Arabia 2026 | Quarter-Finals Preview
Broli played down Vietnam’s additional day of recovery, with the UAE tactician saying his players are riding on the wave of reaching this stage of the competition.
“We know we’ll face a strong team that is solid and united especially, in the defensive phase with quick transitions,” said Broli. “But we have high expectations that we can overcome them so we can continue to progress in the tournament.
“We know we’ll face a strong team that is solid and united especially, in the defensive phase with quick transitions,” said Broli. “But we have high expectations that we can overcome them so we can continue to progress in the tournament.
“In this kind of tournament, recovery is one of the most important aspects. We have a lot of confidence that our players will arrive in good shape, and motivation is also very important at this stage of the tournament.
“We are energised in that regard and we are confident of delivering a good match.”
“We are energised in that regard and we are confident of delivering a good match.”
Trivia
● This will be the first time Vietnam and UAE meet in the knockout stages of the AFC U23Asian Cup, with UAE going unbeaten over their two meetings in the group stage (W1 D1); Both sides have lost each of their last three knockout games in the competition.
● Vietnam have conceded just one goal in the ongoing edition, their lowest during the group stage in a single edition; In fact, their two clean sheets in this campaign is their joint most in a single edition (also in 2018 & 2020).
● UAE have logged a possession of 38.8% at Saudi Arabia 2026, the second lowest by any team ahead of Lebanon (35.9%); This is the lowest such rate recorded by them in a single campaign over the last four editions.
● Vietnam’s Nguyen Hieu Minh blocked 10 shots in the group stage, the most by any player in this stage of the competition in the last four editions. The only other player to block as many shots across an entire campaign during this span is Uzbekistan’s Husniddin Aliqulov in 2020.
● Richard Akonnor (UAE) won 30 duels in the group stage, the joint-most alongside Jordan’s Anas Al Khab; only Majid Rashid (34 in 2020) won more duels for UAE in a single edition over the last four editions.
Vietnam v UAE
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Friday, 18:30 (UTC+3)
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Friday, 18:30 (UTC+3)
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