Indonesia, 31 May 2026 – Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi has expressed confidence in Vietnam U19’s preparations ahead of the ASEAN U19 Championship 2026, insisting his team will approach every match with maximum determination.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference in Medan, Indonesia, on May 31, the Japanese coach said he was pleased to see his young players given the opportunity to compete in a highly competitive regional tournament, which he believes will play an important role in their long-term development.
“We are very happy that our young players have the chance to participate in this competition. Vietnam U19 will give everything on the pitch and treat every match like a final,” Ikeuchi told reporters.
Vietnam have been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Indonesia U19, Myanmar U19, and Timor-Leste U19. Among the group-stage fixtures, the clash between Vietnam and Indonesia is widely viewed as the standout encounter and could prove decisive in the race for qualification.
However, Ikeuchi stressed that his team is not focusing on any single opponent and will maintain the same level of commitment throughout the tournament.
“As I mentioned before, Vietnam U19 will fight with everything we have in every match. The game against Indonesia will be no different,” he said.
Indonesia enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating Thailand 1-0 in the 2024 final. The hosts are once again considered among the favorites for the title, boasting a talented squad that includes six players currently training or playing abroad.
Vietnam, meanwhile, arrive in Medan without their strongest possible squad due to domestic scheduling conflicts that prevented several players from joining the team. Despite those challenges, Ikeuchi remains confident in the players available and believes the squad possesses the spirit and determination needed to compete at the highest level.
Later the same day, Vietnam U19 were scheduled to complete their final training session in Medan, focusing on tactical preparations and squad adjustments as they look to make a strong start to their ASEAN U19 Championship campaign.
VSN/RPT
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