Thai media admires VFF's 'grand strategy' for ASIAD 2026.
The Daily News highly praised the Vietnam Football Federation's decision to send the U21 team to participate in the 2026 ASIAD in Japan, considering it a strategic step to prepare for the 2027 SEA Games and the 2028 Olympic Games.
While many countries in the region still prioritize achievements at major sporting events, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has made a groundbreaking decision: to send the U21 team to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This strategy has immediately received praise from the Thai media, which has always closely followed the development of Vietnamese football.
Long-term vision goes beyond short-term achievements.
Thailand's Daily News commented that Vietnamese football is following a sustainable development path, focusing on providing early international experience opportunities for the next generation. The decision not to use the strongest squad (U23+3) in favor of the U21 team at the 2026 Asian Games is seen as a necessary sacrifice for bigger goals in the future.
"Vietnamese football is preparing for a long journey by giving the U21 team the opportunity to experience the top-level atmosphere of continental football. This approach has proven effective through recent successes, including the SEA Games gold medal," Daily News emphasized.
Details of the talent nurturing roadmap
According to the plan agreed upon by the VFF, the core squad for the 2026 ASIAD will consist of players born on or after January 1, 2005. This means that Vietnam will compete against top continental opponents with a team that is 2 to 3 years younger.
The goal of this plan is not just a single tournament, but a crucial chain of events:
- ASIAD 2026:Accumulate practical experience at the continental level.
- SEA Games 34 (2027):Aiming for the championship in Malaysia with a mature squad.
- AFC U23 Asian Championship 2028:Competing for a spot in the 2028 Olympic Games in the USA.
Inheriting lessons from successful experiences.
Thai media suggests that the VFF's decision is based on factual data from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. At that tournament, many young players were given opportunities and subsequently made significant breakthroughs to become key players at both club and national team levels.
The case of Le Van Thuan is a prime example. Despite winning the SEA Games championship, this player is still old enough to continue competing in the 2026 Asian Games, creating continuity and high stability in Vietnam's youth training system. This approach helps players avoid a gap in experience when transitioning between age groups, while building a consistent playing style across all levels.
