U21 to qualify for the 2026 Asian Games: A step backward for Vietnamese football ambitions?

The Vietnam Football Federation's (VFF) decision to send its U21 team to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan is becoming the focus of heated debate. Instead of fully utilizing the regulations allowing the use of a U23 squad combined with three overage players, the VFF has opted for a radical rejuvenation strategy, creating a risky step towards achieving continental success.

The trade-off between experimentation and performance.

Although explained as a strategy to prepare for the 2027 SEA Games and the 2028 Olympics, from a professional perspective, this move can be seen as a step backward in terms of ambitions on the continental stage. History proves that when Vietnamese football focuses its efforts on the Asian Games with its best players, we can absolutely create miracles, exemplified by the fourth-place finish at the 2018 Asian Games.

At the 2018 tournament, the combination of the young players from Changzhou, who were in their prime, with seasoned overage players like Hung Dung, Anh Duc, and Van Quyet helped Vietnam stand on equal footing with the top forces in Asia. This was not just an achievement, but also the most accurate measure of the standing of domestic football.

Lessons from the class disparity

Conversely, the lessons from the previous Asian Games remain relevant, as sending the U20 team to test their mettle led to disappointing results, resulting in an early exit from the group stage. The Asian Games is a major sporting event where powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Iran always bring high-quality squads. A 2-3 year age gap in youth football represents a huge gap in terms of physical fitness and competitive spirit.

Olympic goals and harsh realities

The argument that the Asian Games can serve as a stepping stone to the 2028 Olympics seems unrealistic. To qualify for the Olympics, Vietnam must reach the final of the U23 Asian Championship – a tournament dominated by teams like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Uzbekistan. Betting on such a demanding goal while downplaying the Asian Games – a more achievable objective – is a risky gamble.

Sending the U21 team to the 2026 Asian Games not only diminishes the team's appeal but also risks fostering a defeatist mentality among young players when facing opponents far beyond their capabilities. A step backward in ambition could lead to a stagnation of an entire football system striving to elevate its status.