Vietnam U23 team qualifies for the Asian Championship finals: Shared joy and personal sorrow for Song Lam Nghe An.

With a narrow 1-0 victory over Yemen U23,Vietnam U23 teamVietnam has officially qualified for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia. This is a well-deserved result after the convincing performances of coach Kim Sang-sik's team in the qualifying rounds.

Three consecutive wins, a perfect nine points, four goals scored and none conceded – this is clear evidence of the effectiveness and resilience of the Vietnam U23 team in Group C. Not only did they achieve their goal of qualifying, but the team also displayed a tight, scientific, and deep style of play, something not easily achieved at the youth level.

Notably, this is the sixth consecutive time the Vietnam U23 team has participated in the AFC U23 Asian Championship finals – a proud achievement that affirms the position and stable development of Vietnamese youth football in the region and continent.

However, amidst the joy of victory, there remains a quiet sadness – a sadness associated with football in Nghe An province.

In the Vietnam U23 squad for both the Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers, there is only one name from Song Lam Nghe An: goalkeeper Cao Van Binh. This is quite surprising considering Nghe An's tradition of producing many young football talents over the years.

Despite being called up, given the extremely consistent form of Tran Trung Kien – who holds the starting goalkeeper position and is playing very impressively – Cao Van Binh's chances of playing are not high. This further diminishes Song Lam Nghe An's image in the Vietnam U23 team.

Compared to his club teammates, Cao Van Binh is considered fortunate. This is because other players like Ho Van Cuong, Nguyen Quang Vinh, and Le Dinh Long Vu, all high-quality, promising young players, did not have the opportunity to be part of the Vietnam U23 team in the two recent tournaments.

Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam U23 team is gradually developing a clear playing style: scientific ball control, flexible movement, and proactive pressing. For each position, Coach Kim has at least two equally capable replacements, ensuring the team operates smoothly and stably.

With such a philosophy, players not only need good skills but also need to be able to integrate into the team's playing style. This may be the main reason why players from Nghe An have not been given opportunities.

While their talent is undeniable, it seems the players' style of play is lacking.Lam River, Nghe AnTheir tendency to favor individual breakthroughs isn't really suited to the tactical system that the South Korean coach is building. That's a harsh reality, but one that needs to be acknowledged frankly.

However, the door to the national team is not yet completely closed for the young players of Song Lam Nghe An. From now until the end of 2025, the V.League still has many rounds left, and that is an opportunity for the players to showcase their abilities.

If they continue to maintain consistent form for their clubs, and even make a significant impact in big matches, players like Ho Van Cuong or Le Dinh Long Vu could certainly catch the attention of the Vietnam U23 coaching staff, especially when...Coach Kim Sang-sikThey have always shown openness in seeking out new talent.

Although it hasn't made a significant contribution to the Vietnam U23 team yet, it's undeniable that Song Lam Nghe An remains one of the leading youth football academies in the country. Many past and present national team players have come from here – from Van Quyen and Cong Vinh to Phan Van Duc. Especially in recent years, the team's policy of rejuvenating its squad has given many young players the opportunity to play and prove themselves.

Hopefully, in the upcoming SEA Games 33 and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, the players from Nghe An will return and leave a worthy mark.