Media Hails ‘Kim Sang Sik Magic’ as Vietnam Reaches U23 Asian Cup Semifinals

Vietnam Advances to AFC U23 Asian Cup Semifinals Following Extra-Time Thriller Against UAE

Vietnam’s U23 national team secured a spot in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semifinals after a 3-2 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals. The win, which came after 120 minutes of play, marks only the second time in the tournament's history that Vietnam has reached the final four.

The quarterfinal victory is the team’s fourth consecutive win at the tournament. The performance has drawn significant attention from media outlets across Asia.

China’s Sina Sports praised the team’s "efficient and powerful" play, while the news site Sohu highlighted Vietnam's "resilient spirit." Sohu further noted that under head coach Kim Sang Sik, the squad's style has become "more Korean than Korea itself."

In South Korea, Sports Naver headlined the result: "U23 Vietnam reaches semifinals, Kim Sang Sik’s magic taking Asia by storm." The publication reported that Kim has demonstrated exceptional tactical talent and leadership throughout the competition.

The U23 national team’s recent advancement to the continental semifinals is more than a sporting milestone; it serves as a definitive indicator of the systemic maturation of Vietnam’s youth football infrastructure. This second deep run in a major Asian tournament suggests that the country's recent successes are not the ephemeral byproduct of a single “Golden Generation,” but rather the result of a long-term strategy rooted in deep-tier investment and institutional development.

This trajectory reaffirms the efficacy of the "South Korean blueprint" adopted by Vietnamese football authorities. This strategic framework, initiated under former manager Park Hang-seo and continued by current head coach Kim Sang-sik, has successfully integrated high-level discipline and modern tactical rigor with an acute understanding of regional player psychology. The validation of this approach is perhaps most visible in the commentary from Chinese state media, which noted that Vietnam's current playstyle increasingly emulates the technical standards of the South Korean national side.

Beyond tactical evolution, these results signal a shift in the regional hierarchy. Vietnam has transitioned from a perennial outsider to a formidable emerging power within the Asian football landscape. On a domestic level, these achievements function as a critical driver of social cohesion. The team’s performance provides a rare and potent catalyst for national pride, fostering a sense of unified identity that transcends standard political and social divides.

Major victories by the Vietnamese national soccer team, particularly in high-stakes international tournaments, have evolved into significant cultural milestones for the community in the United States. Whether gathered in the coffee shops and phở restaurants of Little Saigon or following the action across social media, Vietnamese-Americans find these matches to be a powerful point of connection. This shared sense of pride often serves to bridge generational gaps and transcend political divides, uniting the diaspora through a common identity.