U23 Vietnam at Asiad 2026: Quarterfinals Are the Target, But the Story Has Just Begun

When the VFF officially set the target of reaching the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games for U23 Vietnam, many considered it a modest milestone. But looking at the current squad, with 16 out of 23 players having participated in the July training camp, stability in operations and understanding between positions have been built. The seven new faces like Ly Duc, Quang Kiet, Pham Minh Phuc, Le Phat, Ngoc My are also not unfamiliar names. Most of the squad have had one or two seasons playing in the V-League, coupled with youth-level experiences such as the U23 Asian Cup. This puts U23 Vietnam among the most experienced teams at this edition of the Games. The group stage against Uzbekistan, Kuwait and the Philippines is not easy. Uzbekistan are the heavy favorites, but the opportunity to compete for the top two spots is still wide open. If they make good use of the matches against Kuwait and the Philippines, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's side can certainly secure a quarterfinal berth, or even replicate the semifinal or medal achievements of previous generations. But the quarterfinals are not the final destination. The interesting thing is that the 2026 Asiad is being seen by Vietnam's head coach, Kim Sang-sik, as an important test for the generation that won the U23 Asian Cup bronze medal earlier this year. That is why the VFF and coach Kim changed the plan from an U21 squad to almost the strongest lineup. The significance of this goes beyond a single tournament. Coach Kim has already made calculations for the future of the Vietnam national team after the 2027 Asian Cup, and this U23 generation is part of that plan. To have a chance, the players must put themselves in the Korean tactician's sights through their performances against quality opponents at the Asiad. Of course, the Asiad is just one of many tests. Alongside it are regular performances in the V-League or the newly started First Division. The Asiad is not a ticket to immediately join the national team, but it is considered a key for U23 Vietnam to prove their ability to coach Kim and their club coaches. Only when they gradually secure starting spots in the V-League will the door to the national team open wider. But if we only look at the quarterfinal target, we may miss the bigger picture. The 2026 Asiad is a place to test tactical adaptability, composure under pressure, and the maturity of each individual. With a squad that already has V-League experience, U23 Vietnam have a good physical and technical foundation, but what they need is stability in decisive situations. A small defensive mistake against Uzbekistan could ruin the entire plan. Conversely, if they maintain focus, they can certainly surprise. The question arises: Do these players have enough desire to overcome their own shadow? Because the recent U23 Asian Cup bronze medal is both a pride and a pressure. They are no longer unknown boys; opponents have studied them thoroughly. This Asiad will be a true test of their character and progress. From the perspective of someone who has followed Vietnamese youth football for many years, I see this as a golden opportunity for the players to assert themselves in the eyes of coach Kim Sang-sik. It's not just about advancing, but about how they show their football thinking, game reading ability and team spirit. These factors will decide their future in the national team. Ultimately, the 2026 Asiad is not just a tournament. It is a stepping stone, an answer to the question: who will be the successors to the current generation of the Vietnam national team? And the answer will be written with sweat, tears and goals on Chinese soil. "The Asiad has no VAR, only real-life tests." - That phrase perhaps fits U23 Vietnam's journey this time. Let's wait and see how they pass the test.