Qatar, 29 December 2025 – Vietnam U23 captain Khuat Van Khang has affirmed that he and his teammates are fully committed to delivering their best performances and targeting a deep run at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
Recently speaking to the media, Khuat Van Khang shared insights into Vietnam U23’s preparation process and his emotions ahead of his third consecutive appearance at the continental finals. The midfielder, born in 2003, said that every AFC U23 Asian Cup has brought special memories, but this upcoming tournament carries even greater significance.
“This will be my third time playing at the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Before this tournament, the whole team experienced a very successful year, highlighted by winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal. That achievement gives me and my teammates even more motivation to approach this competition with confidence and strong determination,” Khuat Van Khang said.
With valuable international experience and three straight participations at U23 Asian Cup finals, the Vietnam U23 captain admitted he now sees reflections of his younger self in the new faces of the squad. “We have many players who are taking part in the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time. When I look at them, I remember myself three years ago, when I first stepped onto the continental stage. This is a very high-level tournament, full of emotions, and a great opportunity for every player to prove themselves,” he explained.
Assessing the challenges awaiting Vietnam U23 at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, Khuat Van Khang pointed out that adaptation will be crucial. “The first difficulty is adjusting to the time difference, as Qatar is four hours behind Vietnam. In addition, there are factors such as living conditions, weather, and nutrition. The whole team needs time to adapt so that we can reach the best physical condition for competition,” he noted.
Speaking about his personal ambitions, Khuat Van Khang confirmed that this will be his final AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign in a Vietnam U23 shirt. “This is my last chance to play at the U23 Asian Cup. I and the whole team will set the highest possible goals and give everything to progress deep into the tournament. Two years ago, Vietnam U23 reached the quarter-finals, and this time we are determined to aim for even higher milestones,” the captain emphasized.
Vietnam U23 are currently in their final preparation phase ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, with high expectations following their SEA Games 33 triumph and a strong desire to make another positive mark on the Asian stage.
Hoang Thai
Leave a Reply