Singapore U23 coach praises Vietnam U23, calling it an Asian-class team

At a press conference ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers, Singapore U23 coach Firdaus Kassim said his team was well prepared for the tournament. "We have been training hard at high intensity and will have specific calculations for each match with the goal of defeating every opponent," he confidently declared.

Besides, coach Firdaus Kassim also said that the strength of U23 Singapore is determination, approaching the match with the highest spirit and being ready for all challenges, striving to achieve the best results.

The Singapore U23 coach also had words of praise for coach Kim Sang-sik of Vietnam U23, the team he will face in the second match. "Coach Kim Sang-sik is performing very well and achieving many successes, at the same time bringing his own style of play to Vietnam U23. I will have to pay close attention to him as well as Vietnam U23," he said.

"U23 Vietnam is a top team, not only in Southeast Asia but also in Asia," coach Firdaus Kassim continued, "They have quality players and play at a very high level. I hope our young players can learn from them and grow up.

The players I brought to Vietnam this time, although still very young, are all capable, can handle pressure well and have potential. I am not thinking about the 33rd SEA Games yet, but through this tournament, I will evaluate and select the best players for the tournament at the end of the year in Thailand."

U23 Singapore arrived in Phu Tho on the evening of September 1. According to the schedule, coach Firdaus Kassim and his team will play the opening match of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Group C qualifiers at 4:00 p.m. on September 3 against U23 Yemen. They will face U23 Vietnam at 7:00 p.m. on September 6, also in Viet Tri, Phu Tho.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hlv-u23-singapore-de-cao-u23-viet-nam-ca-ngoi-day-la-doi-bong-dang-cap-chau-a-post1774950.tpo