U23 Vietnam and the trust placed in the youth

Continuing from their successes at the 33rd SEA Games and the U23 Asian Championship, the U23 Vietnam team is expected to shine at ASIAD 20.

The U23 Vietnam team is now in a crucial preparation period for the 2026 Asian Games. This stage serves not only to help players sustain their fitness levels but also allows interim head coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his coaching staff to evaluate the roster, experiment with different players, and progressively build the core squad for the continental competition.

The call-up list features Cao Van Binh, Le Van Thuan, Vo Anh Quan, Nguyen Phi Hoang, Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, Nguyen Xuan Bac, Le Viktor, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, and Nguyen Quoc Viet. These players were part of the squad that secured the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games and the bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup.

This selection indicates that U23 Vietnam's ambition at the Asian Games goes beyond mere match practice. Trusting in promising new faces is also part of a strategy to develop future talents for the senior national team.

Thus, the current U23 Vietnam lineup is a more experienced collective than the initial idea of fielding only young players. In a compact tournament like the Asian Games, the international exposure and composure under pressure of players who have faced major competitions could prove vital.

However, the squad is missing several familiar players. Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Ngoc My, Tran Trung Kien, and Nguyen Nhat Minh are not part of the U23 Vietnam camp as they are representing the senior national team in the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Their absence requires the coaching staff to explore alternative personnel options before the final squad is announced.

One reason to believe that U23 Vietnam can achieve something remarkable at the 20th Asian Games is their showing at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. The bronze medal and the displays of the young players in that continental tournament earlier this year offer plenty of encouraging signs.

Facing tough opponents such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and South Korea, U23 Vietnam maintained their confidence, took control of the ball, and were unafraid to execute their game plan. This is highly commendable, as at the youth level, mentality often plays a major role in performance.

With an optimal squad heading into the 20th Asian Games, U23 Vietnam can deliver a powerful, cohesive, and fighting style of football. Players seasoned in international pressure will take on leadership roles, while the young, ambitious talents will inject energy and create moments of surprise.

Being drawn in a group featuring Uzbekistan, one of Asia's strongest youth teams, is expected to pose significant challenges for U23 Vietnam. The road ahead remains tough with formidable opponents such as Uzbekistan and Kuwait.

These teams are superior in terms of physique and physical strength. Nevertheless, with a well-structured development plan and a determined spirit, U23 Vietnam has every basis to pull off another shock, similar to what they did at the 2018 Asian Games.

Nevertheless, football experts argue that potential alone is not enough. To truly reach new heights, these players must work hard to secure regular starting positions at their respective clubs. A fiercely competitive environment in the V-League will serve as the ideal training ground for young stars to develop significantly before taking on the Asian Games.

With proper investment and a systematic preparation pathway, fans have every reason to anticipate a spectacular performance from the U23 Vietnam team at the upcoming 20th Asian Games.