Vietnam U23 at Asian Games 2026: Quarterfinals Are Not the End, They Are the Real Test

When VFF announced the target of reaching the quarterfinals at the Asian Games 2026, many fans smiled with satisfaction. But I – someone who has followed Vietnamese football for 27 years and once made a costly bet on Walker – saw only a sweet trap. The quarterfinals serve as a safe milestone for a U23 squad that possesses arguably the most experienced force in history. Yet if we stop there, we will miss the bigger picture: Coach Kim Sang Sik did not bring these players to Asia for fun. He is testing them for the future of the Vietnam national team after the 2027 Asian Cup.

The context before the tournament is clear. Among the 23 summoned players, 16 names were part of the July training camp. That time together created a certain stability in tactics and understanding between positions. Seven other faces such as Ly Duc, Quang Kiet, Pham Minh Phuc, Le Phat, and Ngoc My are not newcomers either. Most have spent one or two seasons playing in V-League, alongside experiences at youth levels or the recent U23 Asian Championship. Therefore, when entering the Asian Games, the red-shirted team is among those with the richest experience. The group including Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and the Philippines is not easy, but the chance to compete for the top two spots remains open. If they make good use of matches against Kuwait and the Philippines, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's students can certainly secure a quarterfinal ticket.

If we only look at the target, the quarterfinals seem like the destination. But I believe it is only the starting point for a bigger test. The shift from a U21 squad to nearly the strongest force by VFF and Coach Kim Sang Sik shows ambitions beyond a single tournament. Kim has surely calculated the future of the Vietnam national team after the 2027 Asian Cup. To have a chance, U23 players must put themselves in the sight of the Korean strategist through performances against quality opponents. The Asian Games is not a ticket to immediately step into the national team, but it is a key to proving their capability to Coach Kim and their club managers. Only by gradually securing starting positions in V-League will the door to the Vietnam national team open wider.

A special point is the stability of the squad. The 16 players from the July camp provide a solid tactical foundation. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh can build a style without wasting time on experimentation. But the seven new faces are an interesting variable. They are not rookies, but they bring competition and diversity. Based on my experience watching matches, the combination of a familiar core and fresh variations often creates a surprise effect against opponents who have studied the old lineup.

However, my contrarian angle is this: the quarterfinals are deceptively easy. Uzbekistan is strong, but Kuwait and the Philippines are not overwhelming. If Vietnam U23 only aims for the quarterfinals, they can easily fall into complacency. The achievements of their predecessors – reaching the semifinals or winning medals – have set an invisible standard. If this generation cannot surpass that, are they worthy of a spot on the national team? I have witnessed many Vietnamese youth teams stall because they were satisfied with minimal targets. At the 2026 World Cup, my Iran did the same: they were confident in their concrete defense and lost to Spain in the final 15 minutes. Lesson: do not set limits on yourself.

My conclusion is: the quarterfinals are not the end, but the stage for U23 players to prove they are ready for the future national team. If they only stop at the quarterfinals, Coach Kim will see a lack of nerve. If they go further, such as the semifinals or a medal, the opportunity to join the national team will be wider than ever. But the Asian Games is only one part; consistent performances in V-League are the sustainable measure. Players like Ly Duc or Quang Kiet must turn this tournament into a springboard, not only to score points with Coach Kim but also to earn starting spots at their clubs.

A verifiable prediction: If Vietnam U23 enters the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026, at least three players from this squad will be called up to the national team in 2027. If not, they will have to wait longer, and the door will close for those who only rely on past achievements. People will remember Vietnam U23 not for a medal, but for daring to step out of the safe zone of safe targets.

Signature lines: - When VFF said quarterfinals, I heard the latch of the door closing. - 16 familiar names are stability, but the 7 new faces are what make opponents wary. - The Asian Games is not a ticket to the national team. It is the ticket for Coach Kim to open his eyes.