Hanoi, 4 Sep 2026 – Following Vietnam U20’s disappointing performances in the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, Slovenian football expert Jernej Kamensek believes former Vietnam U17 coach Cristiano Roland should be considered to take charge of the team.
Vietnam have endured a difficult start to their Group C campaign at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, suffering consecutive defeats against North Korea U20 (0-3) and Palestine U20 (1-2).
However, concerns have extended beyond the two results. Defeats are part of football, but the manner of Vietnam’s performances has raised questions, with Yutaka Ikeuchi’s side struggling for cohesion, creativity and consistency in their overall play.
The results are particularly striking given the experience within the 23-man squad.
Twelve members of the current U20 team were previously part of the Vietnam U17 squad that impressed at both the qualifying and final stages of the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup.
Apart from goalkeeper Tran Van Dat, the other 11 have featured during Vietnam’s defeats to North Korea and Palestine. They include Hoa Xuan Tin, Le Huy Viet Anh, Le Tan Dung, Nguyen Van Khanh, Dau Hong Phong, Nguyen Thien Phu, Nguyen Van Bach, Tran Hoang Khanh, Tran Gia Bao, Bui Duy Dang and Hoang Trong Duy Khang.
Many of those players produced impressive performances under Brazilian coach Cristiano Roland at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Vietnam went unbeaten against three strong opponents, earning 1-1 draws against Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. Duy Khang scored twice during that campaign, while Gia Bao contributed one goal.
Naturally, strong performances at U17 level do not guarantee the same results when players move into the U20 age group. However, the sharp contrast between the performances of many of the same players under different coaching setups has prompted debate over whether Vietnam are getting the best out of their current generation.
Kamensek: Vietnam Can Perform Much Better
Kamensek, who has spent many years working around Vietnamese football, believes the current team is capable of producing considerably better performances.
“Vietnam U20 can definitely play much better than this. The concerns are not only about the results, but also the tempo of play, movement, passing, decision-making in the final third, finishing, tactics and formation,” Kamensek said.
If Vietnam were prepared to make a bold coaching decision, the Slovenian expert said he would choose Cristiano Roland to work with the current U20 generation.
Kamensek argued that Vietnamese football should focus less on copying the football philosophies of individual countries and more on identifying coaches and development systems capable of bringing the best out of young players.
“Football is not simply about Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, Nigeria or any other country. The fundamental issue is the quality of the coach, the coaching methodology and the ability to develop players.
“Vietnam can learn from the leading football nations, but ultimately it needs to develop its own football identity — its own DNA — rather than trying to copy someone else.
“This is not intended as criticism of the VFF, the coaches or the players. The question I want to raise is: how can Vietnamese football raise its standards and develop the next generation?
“Players can only develop to the level allowed by the quality of their coaches and the system surrounding them. Vietnamese football has potential. The challenge is to ensure that the football environment, coaching methods and management decisions reach a standard worthy of that potential.”
With Vietnam’s qualification hopes now hanging by a thread, the debate is therefore about more than just two disappointing results. The performances have reopened broader questions about youth development, coaching methodology and how Vietnam can turn promising young talent into players capable of succeeding consistently at continental level.
VSN/RPT
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