Gia Lai, 9 Nov 2026 – Vietnam U23 head coach Dinh Hong Vinh has emphasised the importance of gaining international experience as his team prepare to face Thailand, Singapore and Qatar at the Gia Lai International U23 Friendly Tournament 2026, taking place from November 10 to 14. The competition will serve as a key step in developing the next generation of Vietnamese players ahead of major tournaments in 2027.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Dinh Hong Vinh confirmed that Vietnam U23 have assembled a 26-player squad drawn from domestic clubs, combining several players who recently competed at the Asian Games with promising newcomers. The coach believes the tournament offers an opportunity to assess emerging talent, strengthen teamwork and prepare players for future responsibilities with the senior national team.
“This squad includes a combination of players who recently participated in the Asian Games and several new faces. They will form the next generation of Vietnamese football,” Vinh said, while thanking the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), local organisers and media representatives for their continued support.
Despite having limited preparation time, the Vietnamese coach remains confident that his players can benefit from facing strong regional and international opponents. He stressed that the team’s priorities extend beyond immediate results, with the coaching staff focusing on building a competitive squad for the 2027 AFC U23 Asian Cup and longer-term Olympic ambitions. Vinh also pointed to Vietnam’s achievements in 2025 and 2026 as evidence that the country’s young players can perform successfully despite demanding preparation schedules.
“Our aim is to gain more experience ahead of the competitions in 2027 and, in the longer term, develop players for the senior national team. We want to give our best, play with pride for our country and deliver performances that supporters can enjoy,” he explained. Looking ahead to the final fixture against Qatar, Vinh added that the encounter would provide valuable experience for both established squad members and newcomers as Vietnam continue building towards future international challenges.
Thailand U23 head coach Chawatchai Damrong, who was unable to attend the press conference in person due to his team’s travel schedule, delivered his remarks through a video message. He revealed that Thailand have brought a relatively young squad to Vietnam, featuring emerging talents alongside players with previous international experience. According to Damrong, the tournament represents an early stage of preparation for the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, with particular attention being given to developing understanding between the different generations of players.
Damrong also highlighted the significance of Thailand’s opening match against Vietnam on November 10, describing it as an important opportunity for both teams to test themselves. “Our goal is always to perform to the best of our ability in every tournament. Facing quality opponents is an excellent opportunity for our players to develop,” he said, expressing hope that Thai supporters would continue backing the team throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, Qatar U23 head coach Jose Angel Ziganda Lacunza welcomed the opportunity to compete in Gia Lai, explaining that his squad have had limited opportunities to train and play together in recent months. The Spanish coach believes the tournament will help improve communication and understanding among players while allowing his staff to identify areas requiring further development. He also stressed that facing opponents with different playing styles would provide a clearer assessment of Qatar’s current strengths and weaknesses.
Singapore U23 head coach Firdaus Bin Mohamed Kassim similarly expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown by Vietnam and the local organisers. He described the competition as a valuable platform for developing young Singaporean players and gaining experience against competitive opposition. Kassim singled out Vietnam U23 as a strong opponent, noting that the upcoming matches would allow his squad to evaluate their progress and improve their performances through international exposure.
Vietnam U23 will begin their campaign against Thailand on November 10, followed by a meeting with Singapore on November 12 and a final encounter against Qatar on November 14. All three fixtures will take place in Pleiku, Gia Lai, providing the Vietnamese coaching staff with an opportunity to assess their squad against opponents with different technical and tactical characteristics.
For Dinh Hong Vinh and his players, the tournament represents more than a series of international friendlies. With preparations for the 2027 AFC U23 Asian Cup and future Olympic qualification campaigns already underway, the matches in Gia Lai will help determine which emerging talents are ready to take the next step in their development and potentially contribute to Vietnam’s senior national team in the years ahead.
VSN/RPT
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