The U.20 Vietnam team kicked off their training camp in Japan with an impressive performance, securing a 4-0 victory against the youth team of Ehime FC, a club currently competing in Japan’s J-League 2. This friendly match, held on August 25, was part of their preparation for the upcoming AFC U.20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Head coach Hua Hien Vinh used this opportunity to rotate players and assess the team’s progress, ensuring that most of the squad got playing time. The match served as a platform to test tactical adaptability, particularly the transition from defense to attack, which will be crucial in the qualifiers.
The Vietnamese team dominated the game, showcasing attractive football and demonstrating their attacking prowess. Goals were scored by Hoang Khanh, Thang Long, Huu Tuan, and Minh Tam, reflecting the team’s effective offensive strategies and overall readiness.
Looking ahead, U.20 Vietnam has scheduled two more friendly matches during their training camp in Japan. They will face Imabari FC on August 28, followed by a match against a team from Matsuyama University on August 30. These matches are expected to further refine the team’s tactical approach and boost their preparedness.
The squad is set to return to Vietnam on September 1, where they will complete their final preparations before the AFC U.20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers. During this period, U.20 Vietnam plans to play two internal matches against the U.20 Russian team in Hanoi, which will provide further competitive exposure.
The AFC U.20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers feature 45 teams divided into five groups of five and five groups of four. The 10 group winners, along with the five best second-placed teams, will qualify for the final tournament, joining host nation China. Vietnam is in Group A, alongside U.20 Syria, Bhutan, Guam, and Bangladesh. All Group A matches will be held at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong, Vietnam, from September 21 to September 29, 2024.
Reflecting on the team’s preparations before departing for Japan, Coach Hua Hien Vinh said, “After the U.19 Southeast Asian Championship, the coaching staff reviewed our performance and made adjustments to meet higher expectations. We haven’t made complete changes; instead, we aim to give opportunities to players who are in top form and showed progress during the recent U.21 national championship.”
Coach Vinh also acknowledged the challenges faced by the team, particularly regarding player availability due to club commitments ahead of the V-League season. “This is a challenge, but we understand the clubs’ needs. I hope that as we approach the AFC U.20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers, clubs will also support us by releasing players to ensure we have the strongest possible squad,” he added.
With these preparations, the U.20 Vietnam team is determined to perform well in the qualifiers and secure a spot in the final tournament, highlighting their ongoing development and commitment to success on the Asian stage.
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