U23 Vietnam is planning for the future.

07/10/2025 09:49:00 PlaymakerHub

More than three months prior to the tournament’s start, U23 Vietnam identified their opponents for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup final round. At the same time, coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad accepted the mission to secure the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games. Numerous challenges lie ahead, compelling U23 Vietnam to plan for the future from this moment onward.

This is the sixth consecutive time U23 Vietnam has participated in the continental finals, highlighting the stability and sustainability of their youth development program. Significantly, Vietnamese youth football is ranked among the second-seeded teams, indicating its increasingly firm position on the Asian football stage. This accomplishment further solidifies Vietnam’s youth football status internationally and opens doors for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players to pursue new achievements following their historic run to the 2018 final.

It is evident that the VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik have laid out a detailed and concrete plan for 2025. The core U23 Vietnam squad has frequently competed in international events since late 2024, accumulating valuable experience demonstrated by winning the Southeast Asian U23 Championship three times in a row. These successes form a vital foundation for targeting the 33rd SEA Games at the end of 2025, which will serve as a stepping stone toward the Asian Championship finals.

At the first team assembly in early October, U23 Vietnam’s preparation extended beyond domestic training. Today (October 7), U23 Vietnam will travel to the UAE for training and to play two friendly matches against U23 Qatar, a strong Asian football contender. This is regarded as an opportunity for U23 Vietnam to test strategies, assess team cohesion, and evaluate the condition of key players.

Today, Văn Trường’s U23 Vietnam squad will depart for the UAE to commence training in preparation for the SEA Games and the AFC U23 Championship. Photo: Hoàng Linh

Following that, in November, U23 Vietnam will compete in an international tournament held in China. The event features four strong regional teams, including U23 China, U23 Vietnam, and two other opponents. Facing strong teams consecutively will provide the young players with valuable experience and help them adapt to the pressures of international competition.

Recently, the performances of Vietnam’s young players across successive tournaments have earned high praise from experts. This group has been carefully nurtured and trained over several years. Approximately 80% of the U20 players from 2023 are now key members of U23 Vietnam. Many are even national team players such as Khuất Văn Khang and Nguyễn Đình Bắc. These facts demonstrate that Vietnamese football is progressing well and has a quality generation of players ready to succeed the national team.

The time remaining until the start of major tournaments at the end of 2025 and early 2026 is limited. Therefore, U23 Vietnam’s current strategy is considered appropriate and necessary. Observing the 2024 ASEAN Cup, it is clear that Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and even Laos have prepared their squads for the men’s football event at the 33rd SEA Games. Through this competition, they have boldly rejuvenated their national teams to focus on the future, including the intense rivalry expected at the 2025 SEA Games.

The experience gained from the 2024 ASEAN Cup is a valuable lesson for young Indonesian players aiming to defend their SEA Games gold medal. The last time U23 Thailand won the SEA Games gold was in 2017. Thus, the young Thai team, supported by home advantage, is determined to regain their number one status in Southeast Asian football. Laos and Malaysia also brought 10 and 7 eligible players respectively to the 2024 ASEAN Cup for the 2025 SEA Games.

For U23 Vietnam, the objective remains to upgrade their medal color and maintain their leading position in the region. Youth competitions like these serve as fertile ground for coach Kim Sang Sik and Vietnamese football to sow seeds, scout talent, invest in, and nurture the next generation for the national team in the near future.

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