Vietnam U19 immediately receives a new task after a shocking elimination

The Vietnam U19 squad will swiftly participate in the National U21 tournament following their exit from the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship.

After concluding their journey at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship, the Vietnam U19 players will return to their clubs to compete in the National U21 Championship before regrouping. According to the Vietnam Football Federation's plan, the team will gather to prepare for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, a task considered the most important goal for Vietnamese youth football this year. However, before heading to this new challenge, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's squad had to bid farewell to the ASEAN U19 Championship with considerable regret.

Vietnam U19's campaign officially ended after the final matchday of Group C on the evening of June 9. The result of Cambodia U19 holding Australia U19 to a 2-2 draw meant the red-shirted team could not secure a spot in the semifinals. This was an unlikely scenario, as Australia was previously considered stronger and held many advantages in the race for qualification.

The disappointment was even greater given Vietnam U19's fairly favorable start. The team successively defeated Timor Leste U19 and Myanmar U19 to gain an advantage in the group race. However, a loss to hosts Indonesia U19 in the final matchday cost the team their fate, forcing them to rely on results from other groups. Ultimately, Cambodia's point against Australia dashed Vietnam U19's hopes.

Although they could not make it to the semifinals, the tournament still provided valuable lessons for the young players. Highly competitive matches helped them gain experience, improve their competitive composure, and adapt to pressure—key factors in the development of a generation aiming for continental arenas.

In particular, the clash with hosts Indonesia offered many valuable lessons. Playing in the fervent atmosphere of the home crowd and under the pressure of a decisive match gave the young players practical experience. This will be essential preparation for their future growth.

For now, Vietnam U20 will focus all efforts on the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, held at Việt Trì Stadium (Phú Thọ) from August 31 to September 6. The draw placed Vietnam in Group C alongside Iran, North Korea, and Palestine. Among them, Iran is considered the top contender, while the other two opponents also possess formidable competitive strength. With home advantage and thorough preparation, Vietnam U20 is expected to make an impact and compete for a ticket to the Asian finals.