Vietnam U22 confident at Panda Cup 2025 in Chengdu
Coach Dinh Hong Vinh affirmed that the Vietnam U22 team is ready for the Panda Cup 2025, is not afraid of the U22 teams from China, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, and considers the tournament a stepping stone for the SEA Games 33.
The Vietnam U22 team entered the CFA Team China – Panda Cup 2025 in Chengdu with a strong statement from coach Dinh Hong Vinh: the team will compete with the highest spirit, not afraid to face the U22 teams of China, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, while also using the tournament to improve their skills in preparation for the SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.
The spirit of readiness for the Panda Cup 2025
At the press conference on the afternoon of November 11th, coach Dinh Hong Vinh emphasized the team's focus on maximizing professional performance and competitive spirit: "The U22 Vietnam team will strive to achieve the best possible professional results, thereby creating a perfect springboard for the SEA Games 33." According to him, the Panda Cup is an important opportunity to test the team's lineup and tactics before the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals.
The 52-year-old coach thanked the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for the thoughtful reception and affirmed the confidence of the young Vietnamese players in facing strong opponents in the tournament.
Major rivals: China U22, South Korea U22, Uzbekistan U22
The Vietnam U22 team will face China U22, South Korea U22, and Uzbekistan U22 in Chengdu. These are all quality opponents, providing a comprehensive test of the Vietnamese youth team's organizational skills and adaptability in matches.
From a professional perspective, this group of opponents helps the coaching staff observe diverse match situations to assess the chemistry between the lines, personnel options, and the ability to manage the pace of the game in the context of a continuous tournament.
Forces and troop deployment schedule
Coach Dinh Hong Vinh admitted that preparations were affected as many key players were busy competing in the V-League and could not join the team early. He said: “This afternoon, we only had a full squad when six players finished their duties with their respective clubs. However, the Vietnam U22 team has maintained continuous training since the end of 2024, so we don't consider this a major obstacle.”
Stabilizing the squad in a short period of time requires the Vietnam U22 team to make the most of each training session to synchronize their form and fine-tune their operational mechanisms, thereby maintaining cohesion when entering tense matches.
Preparation in Sichuan and competition goals.
Immediately after settling into their accommodations, the coaching staff had the players do light warm-up exercises in the hotel grounds to recover their physical condition before their first training session in Sichuan. The objective was clearly set: to demonstrate cohesive play, high fighting spirit, and gain practical experience in preparation for the SEA Games 33, with Khuất Văn Khang and his teammates aiming for success.
Recent statistics provide a foundation for confidence.
In the friendly tournament organized by the CFA in March 2025, the Vietnam U22 team drew all three matches against the same group of opponents as the current team. These results are considered to have helped the team accumulate experience, creating a foundation for winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and achieving a perfect record in the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers.
| Competitor | Score |
|---|---|
| China U22 | 1-1 |
| U22 South Korea | 1-1 |
| U22 Uzbekistan | 0-0 |
Significance for the SEA Games 33 and U23 Asian Championship 2026 roadmap.
The Panda Cup 2025 is a crucial test of the Vietnamese U22 team's competitive spirit and professional development ahead of the tournament. Based on the results and performance in Chengdu, the coaching staff will gain valuable practical data to optimize personnel selection, adjust game plans, and prepare for the SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.
