Captain Khuat Van Khang (right) scores the opening goal for Vietnam U23. (Photo: VFF)

Prior to this, Vietnam had never beaten a Central Asian team at the U23 Asian finals. In two previous encounters with Uzbekistan, Vietnam suffered defeats, including the dramatic 2018 final in Changzhou and a 0–3 loss in the group stage of the 2024 tournament.

With the 2–1 win, Vietnam U23 recorded their first-ever victory over a Central Asian opponent and are now on course for early qualification, while Kyrgyzstan became the first team eliminated from the tournament in Saudi Arabia.