What does the Japanese coach say ahead of Vietnam U20's crucial match?

Before the final Group A match of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026 against Bangladesh U20 women, Vietnam U20 women's head coach Okiyama Masahiko affirmed that the whole team still has goals to fight for, as the door to advance is not completely closed.

After the first two matches, Vietnam U20 women suffered defeats against very strong opponents, China U20 women and Thailand U20 women. Despite being in a difficult position, Vietnam's representative still has a chance to compete if they achieve a favorable result in the final match, while also awaiting beneficial developments from the group standings.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Coach Okiyama indicated that he does not only view the match from the perspective of points, but also sees it as an important milestone for many young players.

“Of course the match is very important and we will assess the situation in the coming days, but there are also other factors to consider.”

The Japanese tactician emphasized that this could be the last time some players compete for the national team at the U20 level, therefore all personnel decisions will be carefully considered.

“This could be the final opportunity for some players to wear the national team jersey at the U20 level, and I will take that into account when deciding the starting lineup.”

Evaluating the opponent Bangladesh, Coach Okiyama showed particular caution. According to him, this is a team not easy to defeat, especially as they possess a well-organized defensive system and quick transition ability.

“Bangladesh is a team with a solid defense and also has some very agile players, which will be our primary concern when formulating the plan.”

From a professional perspective, the Vietnam U20 women's coach believes the key to the match lies in the ability to control the game and effectively exploit transition moments.

“We need to control the ball better, play aggressively, and utilize counter-attacking opportunities.”

Clearly, after two consecutive defeats, Vietnam U20 women have little room for retreat. Therefore, the match against Bangladesh is not only an opportunity to cling to hopes of advancing, but also a test of the character of Coach Okiyama and his team under the most pressure.