Nagoya, 15 Sep 2026 – Vietnam U23 head coach Dinh Hong Vinh expressed his frustration after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Kuwait U23 in their opening match of the ASIAD 2026 men’s football tournament, urging his players to remain fully focused on their target of reaching the quarter-finals.
Vietnam U23 endured a frustrating start to their Group C campaign as they failed to convert a host of opportunities against Kuwait, despite creating significantly more chances in front of goal.
Speaking after the match, Dinh Hong Vinh admitted the result was disappointing given his team’s attacking numbers.
“This match was a regrettable one for Vietnam U23. We created a lot of chances, with 27 shots, including six on target, but we only scored one goal,” Dinh Hong Vinh said.
The Vietnam coach acknowledged that finishing remains an area that needs improvement. He said the coaching staff would carefully review the team’s performance and devote more training time to improving attacking combinations and efficiency in front of goal.
Despite the disappointing result, Dinh Hong Vinh praised his players for their attitude and fighting spirit against a physically stronger Kuwait side.
He was also encouraged by the team’s cohesion considering the limited preparation time Vietnam had before beginning their Asian Games campaign.
“What I am satisfied with is the players’ attitude and spirit. In addition, despite having very little preparation time, the connection between the players on the pitch showed their tremendous effort and determination,” he said.
Elsewhere in Group C, Uzbekistan U23 made an impressive start by thrashing the Philippines U23 5-1, giving them an early advantage in the race for qualification.
Vietnam and Kuwait, meanwhile, both have work to do after sharing the points in their opening fixture.
Asked about Vietnam U23’s ambition of reaching the ASIAD 2026 quarter-finals, Dinh Hong Vinh stressed that the tournament has only just begun and his players cannot afford to lose concentration.
“In football, this was only the first match, so there can never be any complacency. We always have to make every effort and maintain the highest level of concentration for the matches ahead. Our objective is always to win,” he said.
Following their 1-1 draw with Kuwait, Vietnam U23 will face the Philippines on September 18 before completing their Group C campaign against Uzbekistan on September 22.
VSN/RPT
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