Strength of the Vietnam U23 vs Laos U23 squads: A significant difference in class.
The match between Vietnam U23 and Laos U23 is an uneven contest, as the Vietnamese team possesses a superior squad and extensive international experience.
Vietnam U23 squad: A combination of experience and youth.
The Vietnam U23 team enters this year's tournament with one of the strongest squads. Many players in the team have previously played for the national team and competed in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup finals, such as Thanh Nhàn, Văn Khang, Văn Trường, Đình Bắc, and Thái Sơn. These are players who have been honed in a top-level environment, possessing superior technique, tactical awareness, and physical fitness.
Under coach Kim Sang Sik, the Vietnam U23 team operates according to a modern football philosophy, emphasizing organization and control. Alongside prominent stars, young talents like Viktor Lê, Lý Đức, Nhật Minh… are also performing consistently in the V.League and First Division, contributing to the team's depth. The balance across all positions, combining experienced players with promising young talents, makes the Vietnam U23 team a top contender for the championship.
Laos U23 team: Effort within limits.
Meanwhile, the Laos U23 team remains committed to a defensive counter-attacking style of play, prioritizing discipline. They have several standout players such as goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip, center-back Anantaza, midfielder Aliyakone, and striker Phousomboun – who scored against Cambodia in their opening match. However, overall, the Laos U23 squad still has many limitations in terms of technique, speed, and ability to handle high pressure.
The Laotian team relies primarily on fighting spirit and cohesion, but that can hardly compensate for the difference in skill and match experience compared to the Vietnamese U23 team. Although they showed improvement by drawing with Cambodia, facing a strong and resilient team like Vietnam, the Laotian players will have difficulty implementing their playing style.
The encounter between Vietnam U23 and Laos U23 highlighted a clear difference in strength. While Vietnam U23 possesses a well-rounded, high-quality squad with extensive experience in major tournaments, Laos U23 is still in the process of accumulating experience and perfecting its team. This was a match where the advantage completely leaned towards Coach Kim Sang Sik's players.
