Thai media: 'Vietnam is too strong, in Southeast Asia...'

Following back-to-back wins at the 2026 ASEAN U19 tournament, Thai outlets have lauded the Vietnam U19 side, going so far as to claim that the team led by Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi is currently the best in the region.

After Vietnam U19's convincing performance at the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, Thai media have praised Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his players, even suggesting that the young Vietnamese team is proving its status as the number one force in regional youth football.

In the second match of Group A, Vietnam U19 easily defeated Myanmar U19 with a resounding 5-0 scoreline. This was the team's second straight victory, following a 3-0 win over Timor-Leste U19 on the opening day. After just two games, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's players have scored a total of eight goals while conceding none.

That impressive form quickly caught the attention of fans and media across Southeast Asia. Notably, the Thai fanpage BuriramV2 posted an article expressing admiration for Vietnam U19's strength.

The page commented: "Vietnam is too strong—who in Southeast Asia can stop them?"

Moreover, before the victory over Myanmar, BuriramV2 had already praised the Vietnamese representatives. This fanpage wrote: "Even against Myanmar, Vietnam easily scored five goals. I wonder how many goals they will score against other teams? It must be admitted that Vietnam's national youth teams perform well at all age levels."

These compliments from Thai media reflect recognition of the strong development of Vietnamese youth football in recent years. From U17, U19 to U23 levels, Vietnam's young teams have consistently achieved notable results in regional and continental competitions.

After two matchdays, Vietnam U19 and Indonesia U19 both have a perfect six points. However, the red-shirted team leads Group A thanks to a superior goal difference (+8 compared to Indonesia's +6).

Given the current situation, Vietnam U19 holds their fate in their own hands in the race for a semifinal spot. As long as they avoid defeat against Indonesia U19 in their direct clash on June 7, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's side will officially secure top spot in Group A and book their place in the tournament's final four.

What Vietnam U19 has shown after two matches not only brings hope to domestic fans but also makes regional rivals wary. With their current form, the young Vietnamese team is considered one of the top contenders for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship title.