Instability
South Korea's U23 team entered the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup third-place match presenting a strong foundation and solid organization, but lacking the stability and unpredictability needed to break through in crucial moments.
The South Korean team 's journey in Saudi Arabia clearly reflects this paradox : a team that controlled the game well and created many scoring opportunities, yet their performance did not live up to expectations for a "giant" of continental football.
In terms of controlling the game, the South Korean U23 team still showed their true identity. They were among the most effective passers in the U23 Asian Championship, with an accuracy rate of 85%, second only to the Iranian U23 team (89%).
This demonstrates the undeniable ability of the South Korean team to organize, circulate the ball, and dictate the tempo.
For most of the matches, the South Korean U23 team typically pushed their opponents deep, dominated the midfield, and played with high frequency in the opponent's half.
However, the problem lies in the fact that while they have a lot of possession, they lack sharpness. After 5 matches, the South Korean U23 team has had a total of 48 shots, just one less than the Vietnamese U23 team .
This figure shows they didn't lack opportunities. But in 3 out of 5 matches, the South Korean U23 team failed to score.
Their shots were often rushed, inaccurate, or blocked by opposing defenses that were well-prepared for this team's relatively predictable style of play. Of course, there was also an element of luck.
The attack lacks sharpness.
The biggest weakness of the South Korean U23 team lies in their ability to create individual breakthroughs and their goal distribution. Of the four teams that have reached the semi-finals, the South Korean U23 team is the only one where no player has scored more than one goal.
This statistic reflects the reality that they lack a true attacking force capable of deciding matches.
When the system runs smoothly, the South Korean U23 team plays very well; but when their space is blocked by opponents, they struggle to find a solution.
Conversely, the South Korean U23 defense also doesn't inspire absolute confidence. Having conceded 6 goals in 5 matches places them among the most vulnerable defenses in the top four teams of the tournament.
Mistakes often stem from a lack of ability to counter-attack and a failure to transition quickly enough between defensive and offensive states.
This is a particularly dangerous weakness when facing teams that are willing to play defensively and counter-attack quickly. It presents an opportunity for Coach Kim Sang Sik's team.
In that context, the match against Vietnam U23 became a very clear test for South Korea U23.
Coach Kim Sang Sik's players not only had a similar number of shots on goal, but also demonstrated their ability to capitalize on opportunities and their disciplined fighting spirit.
If they continue to control possession but lack sharpness, the South Korean U23 team could easily fall into a stalemate ; just one moment of lapse in concentration in defense could be costly.
Overall, the South Korean U23 team remains a high-quality group with a solid tactical foundation, the ability to dictate the game , and excellent physical fitness .
Nevertheless, at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, they clearly showed a strong but inconsistent performance . The Vietnam U23 team has reason to believe in a positive result before leaving Saudi Arabia.
Watch the entire 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Finals on TV360 at https://tv360.vn