U.23 Vietnam goes a long way...

The U.23 Vietnam team has completed a useful training trip in the UAE, through two quality matches with U.23 Qatar to take an important step in preparation for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U.23 Championship.

H AI QUALITY MATCH

At noon today, October 15, the U.23 Vietnam team returned home after an important week of training in the UAE, focusing on two quality friendly matches with U.23 Qatar. The U.23 Vietnam coaching staff tested and gave opportunities to players who had not or had little exposure in the two most recent official tournaments, the U.23 Southeast Asia 2025 and the U.23 Asia 2026 qualifiers, when eight key players were promoted to the Vietnam team. In the first leg against Qatar, the U.23 Vietnam squad had many key players who dominated the game, creating many opportunities but lost 0-1 from a set piece. In the second leg on the night of October 13, interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh replaced 100% of the squad, allowing the reserve team from the previous match such as: Nguyen Tan, Nam Hai, Le Phat, Thanh Dat, Long Vu, Minh Phuc, Quang Kiet... to play from the start. The players who rarely played in the club and rarely played together in the U.23 Vietnam team tried their best but let Qatar take a 2-goal lead early in the first half. In the second half, U.23 Vietnam pressed and attacked high, helping Van Thuan and Quoc Viet score goals from well-planned moves, and in the end lost 2-3.

Vietnam U.23 team has a useful training trip in UAE

Photo: VFF

Interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh shared: "I highly appreciate the spirit, attitude and progress of the entire U.23 Vietnam team during this training trip. The players have shown professionalism, discipline and a high level of concentration despite the different weather conditions, time zones and living conditions in the UAE. The whole team always maintains the spirit of learning, the desire to perform and especially the solidarity in daily life as well as on the training ground. This is a very valuable factor and an important foundation for the goals ahead. This is a very good opportunity for new faces to show themselves, and I must say that many players have left a positive impression. Players like Tran Thanh Trung, Vadim Nguyen, Nguyen Tan, Long Vu, Le Phat... show confidence, desire and a very good spirit of integration. Although they still lack international competition experience, they are making progress through each training session and each match. I believe that if they continue to maintain such a progressive attitude, they can completely compete for the position. location for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games".

U.23 Vietnam h PERFECTING PERSON AND PLAYING STYLE

Coach Dinh Hong Vinh assessed the two matches with U.23 Qatar as valuable opportunities for the coaching staff to study the tactics, playing style and adaptability of the U.23 Vietnam players against high-level opponents in the continent. The encounters with the "blue team" Qatar - who have participated in the U.23 Asian Cup 6 times in a row, won the bronze medal (2018) and ranked 4th (2016) - helped to break out many problems that Southeast Asian opponents could not do. The lessons of losing concentration leading to goals against Qatar, missed opportunities... will be recorded by the coaching staff to improve the team's players and playing style. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh commented: "In terms of expertise, the players showed good fighting spirit, followed the tactics, and showed progress in transitioning, pressing and organizing attacks. Of course, we still have points to improve, especially in the ability to make quick decisions in tight spaces, maintain a stable playing intensity for 90 minutes and the ability to finish. Overall, the coaching staff is satisfied with the team's performance.

This is an important preparation step in the long-term roadmap of U23 Vietnam. Training trips like this help the coaching staff accurately assess each individual's ability, test tactical options, and help players get used to the intensity and playing style of West Asian teams - which is very necessary when entering the continental arena. All are aimed at the goal of building a squad with the most depth, courage and competitiveness for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

U.23 Vietnam continues to compete with strong opponents

It is expected that during the FIFA Days in November, the Vietnam U.23 team will participate in an international friendly tournament in China, with the participation of the continent's top teams. After that, Coach Kim Sang-sik will directly coach the team to the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U.23 Championship.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-di-mot-ngay-dang-185251014215307463.htm