Hanoi, 30 December 2025 – After lifting two major regional trophies, Vietnam U23 are entering a defining phase as they set sail for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, aiming to measure their true strength against Asia’s elite.
Vietnam U22 crowned a remarkable campaign by winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal with a dramatic comeback victory on Thailand’s Rajamangala Stadium. That triumph was the product of a carefully designed and consistently executed strategy jointly implemented by the Vietnam Football Federation and head coach Kim Sang-sik. Since taking charge, the 49-year-old coach has strictly adhered to clear selection criteria based on ambition, talent, and tactical compatibility, ensuring close monitoring and regular evaluation of his squad. This methodical approach allowed him to refine and shape a group capable of conquering the region’s two most important tournaments: the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025 and SEA Games 33.
Since mid-2024, when Kim Sang-sik arrived in Vietnam, this U23 generation has played around 20 matches across various competitions and friendlies. Through high-level encounters with leading Asian sides such as Uzbekistan, South Korea, China, and Qatar, the players have gradually matured and refined their game. Alongside those tests, Vietnam U23 also defeated regional and intercontinental opponents like Yemen and Bangladesh, while maintaining a perfect record in three official competitions: the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, and SEA Games 33. After such a thorough accumulation phase, the next step is clear: pushing as far as possible at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
Renowned commentator Ta Bien Cuong believes the timing could not be better. “If not now, then when will Vietnam U23 have such a good opportunity to challenge themselves at the continental level?” he said. According to Ta Bien Cuong, the team’s mindset is at its peak following SEA Games success, their preparation has been strengthened by quality training matches against Asia’s top sides, and Kim Sang-sik’s psychological influence—particularly his message that ‘if the seniors can do it, so can you’—has been crucial. Drawing parallels with the historic Thường Châu run of 2018, he added that conditions are aligning for Vietnam U23 to once again dream big on the Asian stage.
After SEA Games 33, the squad only took a short break before regrouping on December 23 with renewed intensity and focus. Kim Sang-sik also reinforced the team by adding striker Bui Vi Hao and centre-back Le Van Ha, two physically strong players expected to offer more tactical options against powerful Asian opponents. Ta Bien Cuong noted that the Korean coach has smoothly shifted the team’s mindset from regional dominance to continental realism, where Vietnam U23 will face a very different level of challenge.
“Bui Vi Hao has long strides and explosive pace for fast counter-attacks, while Le Van Ha, standing at 1.84 metres, is well-suited to deal with tall and physical opponents,” Ta Bien Cuong explained. “Kim Sang-sik clearly has specific calculations for the Asian stage. Group A is neither easy nor impossible—hosts Saudi Arabia are Gulf Cup champions, Jordan are always tricky, and Kyrgyzstan are unpredictable newcomers who even finished above Uzbekistan in qualifying. Vietnam U23 will need to go full throttle from the start and probably need a bit of luck to get through the group.”
Confidence within the coaching staff is not unfounded. Compared to the 2018 generation under Park Hang-seo, the current U23 side also boasts a solid, ball-playing defense, stronger physical profiles, and a squad that has been sharpened by extensive international exposure over the past 18 months. As Ta Bien Cuong concluded, Vietnam U23 are reaching an ideal moment to push further, explore their limits, and gain invaluable experience against Asia’s best—experience that will ultimately serve as a stepping stone toward greater ambitions with the senior national team.
As planned, Vietnam U23 will play a friendly against U23 Syria on December 30 during their training camp in Qatar, before traveling to Saudi Arabia on January 2, 2026. In the group stage, they will face U23 Jordan on January 6, U23 Kyrgyzstan on January 9, and conclude the group with a high-stakes clash against hosts U23 Saudi Arabia on January 12.
Hung Van
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