U23 Vietnam will face Qatar immediately after the Vietnam vs Nepal match

Immediately following the Vietnam national team's first leg game versus Nepal, U23 Vietnam is set to play a friendly match against U23 Qatar on UAE soil.

After a long flight to Abu Dhabi (UAE), on the morning of October 8, the team led by interim coach Đinh Hồng Vinh quickly settled into their accommodation and had a light training session to recover physically. The entire squad maintained a relaxed and enthusiastic spirit, ready for an important training phase ahead of major upcoming tournaments.

That afternoon, U23 Vietnam held their first tactical training session on a FIFA-standard natural grass pitch at the 321 Club Sports Complex — a top-rated venue in the UAE known for its high-quality turf and modern roofing system.

Before training, coach Đinh Hồng Vinh held a tactical meeting to introduce the game plan and strategy. Although head coach Kim Sang Sik was not present, the team continued to uphold the coaching style and football philosophy established by the Korean coach.

With eight key players currently with the national team, U23 Vietnam will test many new faces in the upcoming match against U23 Qatar. Players such as overseas Vietnamese Trần Thành Trung, Vadim Nguyễn, along with Lê Đình Long Vũ and Nguyễn Lê Phát are expected to make an impact. This is an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the form and adaptability of young talents as they prepare for SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.

According to the schedule, the first leg friendly between U23 Vietnam and U23 Qatar will take place at 7 PM on October 9 (10 PM Vietnam time), just hours after the Vietnam national team finishes their match against Nepal. Both teams agreed to a closed-door game to focus on tactics and lineup testing. Notably, the current U23 Qatar squad is the next generation of the team that lost to U23 Vietnam at Thường Châu in 2018.

These two friendly matches in the UAE are part of the cooperation between the Vietnam Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association, seen as crucial preparation steps for coach Đinh Hồng Vinh’s squad as they aim for continental competitions.