Hanoi, 22 December 2025 – Ahead of the U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has highlighted U23 Vietnam as a well-organized, experienced side capable of causing surprises, especially after their strong momentum from winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal.
The final round of the U23 Asian Cup 2026 will take place in mid-January 2026 in Saudi Arabia, and Asian Football Confederation has already offered its assessment of U23 Vietnam under head coach Kim Sang-sik. According to AFC, U23 Vietnam remain one of the most experienced teams in the tournament and a familiar presence on the continental stage, with a clear footballing identity that has been built over several cycles.
In its “Know Your Team” feature, AFC emphasized that U23 Vietnam are no strangers to the AFC U23 Asian Cup, having qualified consistently for the finals. The confederation singled out the team’s historic runner-up finish in 2018 as a landmark achievement, underlining the resilience, tactical discipline, and adaptability that Vietnamese youth teams have shown against Asia’s strongest opponents.
AFC noted that while U23 Vietnam may not possess outstanding physical advantages compared to some rivals, they compensate with strong collective organization, speed, and an ability to seize decisive moments in matches. The team’s disciplined structure and fighting spirit were highlighted as defining traits that often make them difficult to break down, particularly in high-pressure tournament settings.
The governing body also pointed to U23 Vietnam’s solid qualification campaign, which once again secured their place at the continental finals. According to AFC, maintaining regular participation at this level reflects the growing stability and effectiveness of Vietnam’s youth development system, as well as the continuity in building competitive squads over multiple generations.
Looking ahead to the 2026 finals, AFC believes U23 Vietnam will not be an easy opponent for any team. With accumulated experience, tactical maturity, and renewed confidence following their SEA Games 33 gold-medal triumph, the Vietnamese side are viewed as a team capable of upsetting top contenders if they fully capitalize on their strengths and tournament know-how.
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