Expert Bae Ji-won: Vietnam U23 team has reached continental level while Thailand is regressing.

The Vietnam U23 team has just concluded its journey at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship with a dramatic bronze medal. This achievement not only affirms the position of coach Kim Sang-sik's team but also opens up in-depth insights into the disparity in skill levels within Southeast Asia.

The break away from the Southeast Asian lowlands.

Expert Bae Ji-won, former assistant to coach Park Hang-seo, expressed particular admiration for the performance of the young Vietnamese players, especially in the match against a strong opponent like the South Korean U23 team. According to him, this is clear evidence that Vietnamese football has truly stepped beyond the boundaries of regional tournaments like the AFF Cup or the SEA Games.

Mr. Bae asserted that Coach Kim Sang-sik's players currently possess great potential to compete on equal footing with football powerhouses on a continental scale. From a professional perspective, Vietnamese football has made significant progress, surpassing the skill level of familiar rivals such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Showing resilience in the face of formidable opponents.

One notable characteristic highlighted by Mr. Bae is the ability of the Vietnam U23 team to excel whenever they face strong opponents. Maintaining motivation, determination, and a strong fighting spirit under high pressure is key to the team achieving positive results in major competitions.

"Competing with strong teams requires good motivation and a tenacious fighting spirit. Vietnamese football should continue to challenge itself in major Asian tournaments, going beyond the scope of Southeast Asia," Mr. Bae shared with the press.

The contrast from Thai football

In contrast to Vietnam's progress, the South Korean expert expressed deep concern about the stagnation of Thai football. The fact that the "War Elephants" have failed to make an impact and have been eliminated early in major tournaments highlights underlying problems within the country's training and operational systems.

Mr. Bae commented: "I sense a decline in Thai football more than a promising future. This shows that Thai football has shortcomings and unresolved issues."

Overall, while youth tournaments cannot be completely equated with the senior national team level (Asian Cup), what the Vietnam U23 team has shown at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship is creating a solid foundation for long-term development, aiming for goals beyond the region.