U23 Vietnam ahead of Asiad 2026: Quarterfinals are the goal, but the door to the future is wider

On a late autumn afternoon, as the U23 Vietnam players stepped onto the bus leaving the training ground, I saw in their eyes not only sweat but the look of men about to enter a fateful Asiad. They carry the hopes of an entire nation, but also their own dreams – dreams of standing in the first team of Vietnam, under the guidance of coach Kim Sang Sik.

Context: Experienced squad, clear targets The VFF has set a quarterfinal target for Asiad 2026 – a milestone well within reach for U23 Vietnam, given the current squad. Among the 23 players, 16 had been part of the July training camp. That shared period has built stability in tactics and understanding between positions. The seven newcomers – Ly Duc, Quang Kiet, Pham Minh Phuc, Le Phat, Ngoc My – are not unfamiliar faces. Most of them have one or two seasons in V-League, plus experience at youth level and recent U23 Asian Championship. So when they enter Asiad, the red-shirted team remains among the most experienced contenders.

Core: Group analysis and competitive opportunities Being grouped with Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Philippines is naturally tough. Uzbekistan is the toughest opponent, but the race for the top two spots is wide open. If they make good use of matches against Kuwait and Philippines, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's players can secure a quarterfinal spot. They could even dream of repeating previous achievements – reaching the semifinals or winning a medal. Looking at history, Vietnamese football has made miracles at Asiad – nights when the whole country beat as one. The day I mispronounced a name, I knew I was speaking to a million hearts, not a microphone. And today, these U23 players hold their own microphone – their voice from their feet.

Contrarian: Quarterfinals are only a stepping stone, Asiad is a test for the future But the quarterfinals are not the final goal. Where U23 Vietnam will go at Asiad 2026 remains to be seen. Yet one thing is certain: the continental games are being used by coach Kim Sang Sik as another exam for the generation that won bronze at the U23 Asian Championship earlier this year. That is why VFF and Kim changed plans from an U21 squad to a near-strongest lineup – a significance beyond a single tournament. They don't need me to paint them rosy. They need me to stand beside them when the flag has faded. And at this Asiad, the flag hasn't faded, but those players are asking themselves if they have the courage to rise. Specifically, coach Kim Sang Sik is already planning for the future of Vietnam's national team after Asian Cup 2027. Naturally, the current U23 players are part of that plan. To earn their chance, they must put themselves in the Korean tactician's sight through performances against quality opponents they will meet at Asiad.

Of course, Asiad is just one of many tests for U23 Vietnam players; besides, they must perform consistently in V-League or the First Division in the new season that has just begun. Clearly, Asiad is not an immediate ticket to the national team, but it is seen as a key for U23 Vietnam to prove their ability to coach Kim Sang Sik and club coaches. Only by gradually securing starting spots in V-League will the door of the national team open wider.

Takeaway: The quiet moments that paint the future There are afternoons on empty stands, the sound of a bouncing ball like an unanswered declaration of love. But at this Asiad, every bounce will be an assertion: we are here, and we aim not just for the quarterfinals. We want to capture the hearts of fans, and more importantly, seize the chance to wear the national jersey. The journey of U23 Vietnam at Asiad 2026 is not just a tournament – it is a portrait of dreams taking shape, from silent runs on the training ground to sleepless nights with football. And when Asiad closes, regardless of the outcome, those players have written a new page in the story of courage and aspiration for Vietnamese football.