Vietnam U23: The Asian challenge after the SEA Games peak.
Having just conquered the SEA Games 33, Coach Kim Sang-sik's U23 Vietnam team only has 3 days of rest before facing the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, a completely different arena.
From the high point of the region to the open sea
The SEA Games 33 gold medal and a streak of eight consecutive wins capped off a successful 2025 for the Vietnam U23 team under coach Kim Sang-sik. However, the joy of victory lasted only three days before the entire team embarked on a new cycle with a much greater challenge: the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.
Success in regional competitions is proof of Vietnam's football standing, but the continental stage is a completely different story. Statistics from the last 8 matches in the AFC U23 Asian Championship show that Vietnam U23 only won 3 matches against Malaysia and Kuwait, with the rest being draws and losses against top opponents such as South Korea, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
At the 2026 tournament, the challenge begins right from the group stage as the Vietnam U23 team is drawn into the same group as Saudi Arabia U23, Jordan U23, and Kyrgyzstan U23 – teams of significantly higher caliber than the average Southeast Asian team. Winning the SEA Games is a crucial morale boost, but to stand firm on the continental stage, the young players need a comprehensive upgrade in physical fitness, speed, and tackling ability.
Long-term preparation and defensive identity
In fact, coach Kim Sang-sik had been preparing for this campaign long before. Since March 2025, the team has participated in a series of international friendly matches in China against strong opponents such as South Korea U23 and Uzbekistan U23 (1 win, 3 draws, 2 losses). These matches provided valuable lessons about the intensity of top-level competition.
Entering the Asian tournament, the Vietnam U23 team will shed the pressure of being the "favorites" and return to their signature defensive counter-attacking style, which has become a trademark of Vietnamese football. With the current generation of players having an average height of 1.74m, including 8 players over 1.80m tall, the team is fully capable of competing on equal terms with their West Asian opponents.
"Compressed spring" and the tactical dilemma for Coach Kim.
The comeback victory against Thailand in the SEA Games 33 final showcased the character and resilience of this generation of players. They are likened to a spring; the more pressure they face in defense, the stronger their counter-attacks become.
In the upcoming tournament, coach Kim Sang-sik will undoubtedly demand that his players maintain tactical discipline. However, to create breakthroughs, the team needs to diversify its attacking options, avoiding reliance on individuals like Dinh Bac or monotonous wing attacks. Smooth central attacking play and high-pressure pressing at appropriate moments will be crucial weapons to surprise opponents.
According to the plan, the Vietnam U23 team will reconvene on December 23rd and travel to Qatar for training to acclimatize to the climate. With high spirits and a generation of confident players, fans have every right to expect the team to continue making its mark, starting with the opening match against Jordan U23 on January 6th, 2026.
