VIDEO: Missing 8 key players, Vietnam U23 narrowly loses to Qatar

Vietnam U23 delivered a commendable display during their initial friendly against Qatar U23.

As part of their training camp in the UAE to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, the Vietnam U23 team played their first friendly match against Qatar U23 at 7 PM on October 9 (10 PM Vietnam time) at 321Sports Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Despite losing 0-1, the young players showed many encouraging signs in spirit and playing style.

Vietnam U23 maintained control of the game but conceded a goal in the 75th minute from a header off a corner kick by the opponents. Despite efforts to attack in the final minutes, including a missed chance by Văn Thuận in stoppage time, Vietnam U23 failed to equalize and accepted a 0-1 defeat.

Although the result was unsatisfactory, the performance of Vietnam U23 offered many positive indications regarding team cohesion and fighting spirit.

The second friendly match between Vietnam U23 and Qatar U23 is scheduled for 7 PM local time (10 PM Vietnam time) on October 13. This will again be an important opportunity for the coaching staff to assess, refine the squad, and prepare the best possible lineup for upcoming competitions.