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“Vietnamese football has risen again,” Thai newspaper Siam Sport wrote after the Friday match.

The outlet noted that coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad displayed “the heart of a lion” to crush the UAE in a tense, dramatic and breathtaking game. The victory secures Vietnam’s second-ever appearance in the tournament’s semi-finals, marking their deepest run since the historic 2018 tournament under coach Park Hang-seo, when they finished runners up after a 2-1 loss to Uzbekistan in extra time under heavy blizzards.

The performance on Friday night drew admiration from Thai fans, many of whom expressed frustration with their own team’s group-stage exit. This is the third consecutive time that Thailand failed to make it past the group stage of the U23 Asian Cup.

“Vietnam is truly excellent. But please stop comparing them to Thailand. The more you compare, the sadder it gets,” a fan commented.

Another reader added: “Vietnam is capable of winning the title, and now thousands of Thai fans are cheering for you. This has never happened before. I’m gradually growing fond of our long-time rival.”

Much of the praise focused on forward Nguyen Dinh Bac, who changed the game after entering as a 34th-minute substitute for the injured Viktor Le.

“Number 7 Dinh Bac plays like he’s hacking the game. Truly top-notch,” wrote a user. “He contributed to the three goals and deserves to be man of the match.”

Bac assisted Nguyen Le Phat’s opener after a solo run, scored a header in the 62nd minute, and remained a threat throughout the match.

Despite equalizers from UAE’s Junior Ndiaye and Mansoor Saeed forcing extra time, Vietnam’s stamina proved decisive. Thai website Think Curve observed that the Vietnam players “ran for 120 minutes without getting tired” and “played as like they were showcasing their physical strength.”

“Watching the full 120 minutes made me understand why this generation of Vietnam players is so great,” a fan commented. “Great first touch, great one-touch play, great body feint, stamina and finishing. Compared to Thailand players, they are definitely superior. I’ll not be surprised if Vietnam win the title this year.”

Indonesian media also lauded the win, with CNN Indonesia stating that while the match was dramatic, “the victory still belonged to Vietnam deservedly.”

Vietnam will face either Uzbekistan or China in the semifinals, with their opponent to be determined in a match scheduled on Saturday.