Vietnam U23 drew 1-1 with Kuwait in their 2026 Asian Games Group C opener on Sept. 15. The team created repeated chances, including Lê Phát’s efforts off the post and crossbar in the first eight minutes. Kuwait led through Omar Almatar’s 79th-minute header, but Ngọc Mỹ equalised three minutes later from Lê Văn Thuận’s corner.

The VFF report called the draw frustrating after Đinh Hồng Vinh’s side controlled much of the match. Uzbekistan had earlier beaten the Philippines 5-1; Vietnam next face the Philippines, with the quarter-finals still open.