Vietnam U-23 were held to a draw by Kuwait U-23 in their opening Asian Games match.
Vietnam controlled the match, but after conceding first, they could only manage an equalizer.
The match showed that possession and shot totals do not guarantee victory.
3-Line Summary
1. Vietnam U-23 draw 1-1 with Kuwait
2. Vietnam recorded 27 shots and 63% possession
3. Numerical superiority does not necessarily mean 3 points
Group C’s Opening Match in Nagoya Ends 1-1
Vietnam U-23 drew 1-1 with Kuwait U-23 in the first match of Group C in the men’s football group stage at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on September 15 at Nagoya City Minato Soccer Field in Nagoya, Japan.
Vietnam, ranked 99th by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), took control from the first half against Kuwait, ranked 133rd. They attempted 12 shots in the first half alone, but only two were on target. Their inability to turn chances inside the box into goals exposed the limitations of their early momentum.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Kuwait’s Al-Tamar Omar scored the opening goal, putting Vietnam on the back foot. Vietnam restored the balance 2 minutes later through Nguyen Ngoc My’s equalizer and sought a comeback afterward, but no additional goal was scored. In stoppage time, Le Van Tuan’s shot struck the top of the crossbar and bounced out.
One Goal Remained Despite 63% Possession and 27 Shots
According to a report by Xportsnews, Vietnam recorded 63% possession and attempted a total of 27 shots. They kept the ball for long periods and created many shots, but the result was 1 goal and 1 point.
The torrential rain that fell throughout the first half was reported to have made it difficult for the players to manage the match. However, the more evident feature of this game was the gap between the number of attacks and the finishing. Vietnam put pressure on Kuwait’s goal after equalizing but failed to create one more goal at the decisive moment.
As this was the opening group-stage match, the draw alone has not determined the direction of the Group C competition. For Vietnam, however, the task of converting their many attacking attempts into actual goals remains. This match was an example of effective finishing, rather than the number of shots, deciding the outcome.
Vietnam’s First Asian Games Match Without Head Coach Kim Sang-sik
Vietnam were placed in Group C alongside Kuwait, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. Vietnam national football team head coach Kim Sang-sik did not join the U-23 team for these Asian Games in order to prepare for the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled to open on September 24.
According to a report by Vietnam.vn, interim head coach Dinh Hong Vinh led training after Vietnam arrived in Nagoya to maintain the players’ fitness. Vietnam were also the team that won the ASEAN Football Federation U-23 Championship in July last year.
This draw does not erase that achievement. However, the match against Kuwait clearly highlighted the task Vietnam faces if they are to demonstrate their competitiveness in the group stage: they must turn their superiority in possession and shots into goals.
References
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