Vietnam Stuns Saudi Arabia to Sweep Group A

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – On a night that will be etched into the folklore of Southeast Asian football, Vietnam’s U23 "Golden Star Warriors" achieved the unthinkable. In front of a stunned home crowd at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Vietnam battled through waves of pressure to secure a gritty 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, completing a perfect sweep of the AFC U23 Asian Cup group stage.

From the opening whistle, the narrative seemed written in the stars for the hosts. Saudi Arabia, the defending champions and tournament favorites, unleashed a relentless assault on the Vietnamese goal. Dominating possession and racking up 26 shots over the course of the 90 minutes, the Green Falcons looked certain to find a breakthrough. However, they met a wall of red resistance. Led by an inspired performance from goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, Vietnam’s backline absorbed pressure with the discipline of a veteran unit. Kien’s series of acrobatic saves in the first half turned the stadium into a cauldron of rising anxiety for the home fans.

The turning point arrived in the 64th minute. Against the run of play, Vietnam launched a clinical counter-attack that silenced the Riyadh faithful. Midfielder Ngoc My threaded a needle-perfect pass through the heart of the Saudi defense, finding substitute Nguyen Dinh Bac. With ice in his veins, Dinh Bac took one touch to settle and unleashed a searing left-footed strike from a narrow angle. The ball beat the keeper at the near post, sparking scenes of pure jubilation on the Vietnamese bench.

Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan’s men have now transformed from dark horses into legitimate title contenders. By clinching the top spot in the "Group of Death," Vietnam secures a favorable seeding for the knockout rounds.