The third-place playoff of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 pits Vietnam U23 against South Korea U23 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The match kicks off on January 23, 2026, at 15:00 GMT+0. This bronze-medal clash follows intense semi-final defeats: Vietnam fell 0-3 to China (with key defender Nguyen Hieu Minh’s early injury disrupting their backline), while South Korea lost 0-1 to Japan due to wasteful finishing despite late pressure. No specific referee has been highlighted for this fixture yet, but AFC appointments typically feature experienced Asian officials familiar with high-stakes youth matches.
BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS
This third-place battle offers intriguing value as both sides seek consolation after semi-final heartbreak. Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 prediction today focuses on resilience, motivation for bronze, and historical edge. Expect tactical caution early, with fatigue from the tournament potentially opening spaces later. Key elements include set-piece execution, counter-attacks, and how each handles the neutral venue pressure. Bettors should monitor live markets for shifts based on lineup news and early momentum.
Vietnam U23 Results
Vietnam U23 enters this playoff riding strong group-stage momentum but stunned by their semi-final collapse. The side showed defensive solidity and clinical finishing earlier, yet vulnerabilities emerged against higher-caliber opponents. Recent performances highlight their ability to grind results but expose risks when key players are absent.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 20.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Vietnam U23 vs China U23 | 0-3 | L |
| 16.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Vietnam U23 vs UAE U23 | 3-2 (a.e.t.) | W |
| 12.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Saudi Arabia U23 vs Vietnam U23 | 0-1 | W |
| 09.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Kyrgyzstan U23 vs Vietnam U23 | 1-2 | W |
| 06.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Vietnam U23 vs Jordan U23 | 2-0 | W |
Vietnam demonstrated excellent group form with four straight wins and a +4 goal difference before the semi-final. Their ability to secure narrow victories against hosts and regional rivals showcased tactical discipline under coach Kim Sang-sik. The heavy defeat to China stemmed largely from Hieu Minh’s injury-forced exit, exposing central defense. Overall, the run built confidence, but bronze motivation remains high to cap a historic campaign.
South Korea U23 Results
South Korea U23 arrives with mixed group results but strong knockout pedigree, only to falter in the semi-final against disciplined Japan. Their attack produced moments of quality, yet inefficiency in front of goal proved costly. The team seeks redemption in this playoff to salvage tournament pride.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 20.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Japan U23 vs South Korea U23 | 1-0 | L |
| 17.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Australia U23 vs South Korea U23 | 1-2 | W |
| 13.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Uzbekistan U23 vs South Korea U23 | 2-0 | L |
| 10.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Lebanon U23 vs South Korea U23 | 2-4 | W |
| 07.01.26 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | South Korea U23 vs Iran U23 | 0-0 | D |
South Korea showed flashes of dominance in wins but struggled with consistency, including a goalless draw and heavy loss. Their quarter-final success highlighted recovery ability, yet poor finishing doomed them against Japan. Motivation for third place could spark a response, leveraging their historical edge over Vietnam.
Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)
Historical encounters favor South Korea heavily, with Vietnam yet to secure a win in recent clashes. These matches often featured tight scores and competitive spirit.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 05.06.22 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 | 1-1 |
| 29.08.18 | Asian Games | Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 | 1-3 |
| 11.01.18 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | South Korea U23 vs Vietnam U23 | 2-1 |
| 23.07.17 | AFC U23 Asian Cup | South Korea U23 vs Vietnam U23 | 2-1 |
South Korea holds a clear advantage with three wins and one draw in the listed meetings. Vietnam managed a draw in 2022 but consistently conceded late or failed to convert chances. This pattern suggests South Korea’s experience often prevails in crunch moments.
Predicted Starting Lineups: Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23
Predicted lineups for this third-place playoff in the AFC U23 Asian Cup provide insight into how each coach might approach the bronze-medal match on January 23, 2026. These are educated projections based on recent tournament selections, semi-final performances, injuries (notably Vietnam’s defensive issues post-semi), and typical formations. Coach Kim Sang-sik for Vietnam is likely to stick close to his settled group-stage XI with minor tweaks for fatigue and absences, while South Korea’s staff may rotate slightly for freshness in a high-stakes consolation game. Actual starting XIs will depend on final team news and tactical decisions.
Vietnam U23 possible starting lineup:
Tran Trung Kien (GK), Nguyen Hieu Minh (DF), Nguyen Nhat Minh (DF), Ly Duc (DF), Pham Minh Phuc (DF), Nguyen Phi Hoang (MF), Nguyen Thai Son (MF), Nguyen Xuan Bac (MF), Khuat Van Khang (MF), Nguyen Le Phat (FW), Nguyen Dinh Bac (FW).
South Korea U23 possible starting lineup:
Hong (GK), Geon-hee (DF), Hyun-Yong (DF), Shin (MF), Jang (MF), Dong-Jin (MF), Seong-Jin (MF), Min-Jun (MF), Bae (FW), Yong-Hak (FW), Baek (FW).
Key Match Factors and Team News
Both teams face fatigue after a grueling knockout path, but bronze motivation differs: Vietnam aims to end on a high note after their best-ever run, while South Korea seeks to rebound from semi-final criticism. Injuries and form will shape the outcome significantly.
- Nguyen Hieu Minh’s injury in the semi-final severely weakened Vietnam’s defense, forcing adjustments that led to collapse.
- South Korea’s attack lacked clinical edge against Japan, with multiple missed opportunities highlighting finishing issues.
- Vietnam’s unbeaten group streak (four wins) built momentum, but semi-final loss ended a 15-match positive run.
- South Korea’s inconsistent group (one win, one draw, one loss) contrasts their knockout resilience.
- No major new scandals reported, but coach Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam) faces his native Korea in an emotional twist.
- Vietnam’s high pressing worked in group stage but exposed gaps post-injury.
- South Korea excels in transitions, potentially exploiting Vietnam’s depleted backline.
- Tournament fatigue could lead to more open play and goals in the second half.
Free Tips on Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23
This section delivers practical, data-driven free betting tips tailored to the third-place playoff in the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Drawing from recent form, head-to-head patterns, and match-specific factors like venue and motivation, these insights help identify potential value without overlapping broader key considerations. Focus remains on statistical edges from the provided results and historical encounters to guide smarter decisions for this January 23 clash.
- Review head-to-head trends closely: South Korea U23 has dominated with 3 wins and 1 draw in the last 4 meetings (averaging 2.5 goals per game), often prevailing in tight finishes—favoring their experience in high-pressure youth knockouts against Vietnam.
- Factor in recent momentum shifts: Vietnam’s four consecutive group wins built strong confidence and a solid defensive record (conceding just 3 goals across those), but the heavy semi-final loss signals possible morale dip and defensive fragility without key personnel.
- Consider third-place motivation dynamics: Both teams chase bronze after semi-final exits, yet South Korea’s deeper talent pool and historical superiority typically translate to better recovery in consolation games, while Vietnam may push aggressively for a historic medal.
- Account for neutral venue fatigue impact: With the match at King Abdullah Sports City on a natural grass pitch under expected clear, warm Jeddah conditions (around 25-28°C, low rain risk), expect a faster pace late on as tournament congestion hits—potentially boosting over goals if early caution fades.
- Weigh historical productivity in clashes: Past Vietnam-South Korea U23 games frequently hit over 2.5 goals in 2 of 4 instances, combined with South Korea’s stronger attacking output in recent tournament outings, pointing toward a scenario where both sides contribute to the scoreline despite defensive intentions.
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Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 Match Prediction
Vietnam U23 vs South Korea U23 odds reflect a competitive but tilted affair, with South Korea favored due to historical dominance and deeper squad quality despite recent setbacks. Vietnam’s semi-final showed vulnerability without key defenders, while South Korea’s poor finishing masked underlying attacking threat. Expect South Korea to control possession and create chances, capitalizing on Vietnam’s fatigue and injury issues. The bronze motivation pushes both, but class difference likely prevails narrowly. Likely low-scoring but with late drama—South Korea edges it 2-1 or 1-0, securing third place and ending Vietnam’s campaign positively yet short of glory.
Our Prediction: Vietnam 1-2 South Korea
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Winner | South Korea U23 | 1.59 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | 2.02 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 2.14 |
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