Coach Dinh Hong Vinh: U23 Vietnam ready for any opponent in Asiad 2026 quarterfinals

The final group-stage match of the 2026 Asian Games ended with a 0-2 loss to U23 Uzbekistan, but U23 Vietnam still secured a place in the quarterfinals. This result did not come as a surprise to those who have followed the team's journey at this tournament, as the opponent was a side that had won all three group matches and almost retained the squad that competed at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. Looking back at the match, the first thing to note is the goal conceded in the 6th minute. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh explained that Uzbekistan entered the game at a very high tempo, while his players lacked concentration in a decisive moment. This was not a major tactical issue but a mental warm-up problem when facing a high-tempo side. What is worth mentioning is that after the early goal, U23 Vietnam regained control of the ball and created several chances in the first half, but could not convert them into an equalizer. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh frankly admitted that he was not satisfied with the team's ability to exploit attacks in the final third and that the playing style was sometimes slow in tempo. The most worrying point ahead of the quarterfinal is not tactics or spirit, but personnel. U23 Vietnam had to make personnel changes in each match, and in the match against Uzbekistan, both starting central midfielders, Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, suffered injuries. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh said that Xuan Bac's injury reduced the team's ability to control the rhythm of transitions. Both players were key figures in midfield, and their failure to recover before September 25 will force the coaching staff to completely rethink the midfield engine. Another factor that cannot be ignored is the weather. The prolonged heatwave in Nagoya since September 13 combined with only three days of recovery after the final group match has made the fitness problem difficult to solve. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh stressed that the whole team needs to focus on recovery to be in the best condition for the quarterfinal. This is a race against time, and the coaching staff will only be able to assess the situation accurately after conducting fitness tests on each player. Overall, defeating one of Asia's top teams, U23 South Korea or U23 Saudi Arabia, in the quarterfinal is a huge challenge. U23 South Korea and U23 Saudi Arabia are competing for top spot in Group D, and regardless of the opponent, their class is superior to a U23 Vietnam side undergoing a rebuilding phase. However, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh affirmed that the team's spirit is very positive and the players showed a commendable attitude and fighting spirit. The bigger story here is not just about the immediate result. The U23 Vietnam team at the 2026 Asian Games is a mix of players who competed at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and new faces. Many key players of the U23 generation had been promoted to the senior national team, reflecting the operation of the youth development system: U23 is a production node for the national team. Therefore, this U23 team did not have much preparation time and had to get familiar with each other in a short period. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh shared that regardless of the squad, when taking responsibility for the team, he still feels satisfied and believes that the new squad will have far progress in the future. This is not just a courtesy phrase but a deliberate development orientation. He highly appreciates the efforts of all players and views the defeat against Uzbekistan as a lesson for the team to improve. One important point that fans need to understand is that the first mistake is not for erasing, but for comparing later. The 6th-minute goal against Uzbekistan, as described by Coach Dinh Hong Vinh, originated from the opponent's high tempo and a moment of lack of concentration. If U23 Vietnam repeats this mistake against U23 South Korea or U23 Saudi Arabia — teams with even higher tempo and technical ability than Uzbekistan — the consequences will be severe. Watching how the team handles the first 15 minutes of the quarterfinal will be the clearest signal of whether the lesson has been learned. Tactically, U23 Vietnam needs a replacement solution in midfield. The team's playing style depends heavily on the ability of the central midfield pair to control transition rhythm, and losing both is a double blow. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh may opt for a more cautious approach in the quarterfinal, possibly adding an extra holding midfielder or another centre-back to reinforce the defensive line. However, changing the team structure at such a sensitive time also carries risks in terms of cohesion between players. Based on my experience following U23 Vietnam's matches at this tournament, a trend can be observed: the team starts cautiously against strong opponents, accepts yielding the initiative in the first 15-20 minutes before gradually finding its rhythm. This approach may help the team avoid heavy damage for most of the match, but it also creates the risk of conceding early, similar to the 6th-minute situation against Uzbekistan. Against an opponent with better finishing ability, this problem becomes even more difficult to solve. The team's spirit is currently a bright spot. Despite losing, U23 Vietnam showed resilience and fighting spirit when facing a stronger team. But as seen, a strong mentality cannot replace the lack of squad quality and fitness at decisive moments. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh said that if the team had equalized in the first half, the situation could have been different. This is a reasonable assumption, but it also shows that the team lacks the ability to convert chances against well-organized defensive teams. From a management and development perspective, the U23 Vietnam team at the 2026 Asian Games reflects the operation of Vietnam's youth football system: continuously producing players for the national team and accepting the sacrifice of short-term results at youth level to nurture the future. This explains why the U23 squad includes both players from the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and new faces. But precisely because of that, the team lacks continuity in its lineup. Looking at the broader picture of Asian football, U23 Vietnam is positioned in the second tier of strength: behind the top teams such as U23 South Korea, U23 Saudi Arabia, and U23 Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's victory over U23 Vietnam not only reflects their class but also shows the difference in continuity: Uzbekistan almost retained their AFC U23 Asian Cup squad, while U23 Vietnam had to rebuild in a short time. This gap will become even more evident when U23 Vietnam faces one of Asia's top teams in the quarterfinal. U23 South Korea and U23 Saudi Arabia are both teams with high-quality squads, well-trained from young age groups, and with years of playing together. They are not only technically strong but also have exceptional understanding on the pitch. Against such opponents, U23 Vietnam needs to be in the best mental state and have a clear tactical plan. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh said the whole team is mentally ready regardless of the opponent. This is a strong message, but the reality on the pitch will be the most accurate measure. In the match against Uzbekistan, U23 Vietnam showed the ability to control possession and create chances when in possession. However, what the team lacks is sharpness in finishing and the ability to increase tempo when needed. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh also acknowledged this when saying that the team's playing style was sometimes slow. If this problem is not improved before facing a team with good defensive organization like U23 South Korea or U23 Saudi Arabia, scoring opportunities will become even rarer. Another issue to consider is fitness. The quarterfinal takes place just three days after the final group match, and the hot weather in Nagoya is a great challenge for the players. Playing at high intensity in harsh weather conditions will drain the players' energy, especially those who have played continuously in previous matches. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh said the coaching staff will conduct fitness assessments after the group-stage match to devise the best plan for the quarterfinal. The context of this quarterfinal lies within the longer journey of Vietnamese youth football. The success of the national team in recent years owes much to the U23 generation, and the continuous promotion of young players to the national team is clear evidence of the youth training system's effectiveness. However, this also means that the U23 team frequently has to adapt to new lineups, lacking stability in each tournament. In terms of public opinion, the pressure on Coach Dinh Hong Vinh is not too great, partly because U23 Vietnam has already achieved the goal of reaching the quarterfinals. Despite the loss to Uzbekistan, fans can still see positive signals from the players' fighting spirit. But this does not mean the team can afford to be complacent in the quarterfinal. On the contrary, this is an opportunity for U23 Vietnam to prove they can compete on equal terms with the strongest teams in Asia. For Coach Dinh Hong Vinh personally, steering the team through difficult times in terms of personnel, fitness, and weather to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games is not only a professional achievement but also a testament to his ability to manage a team under many constraints. He chooses a practical approach, openly acknowledging weaknesses and emphasizing the players' spirit. This is an appropriate approach when the team is going through a rebuilding process. In summary, U23 Vietnam enters the 2026 Asian Games quarterfinal with the status of a team not rated as highly as its opponent but possessing strong fighting spirit and an experienced coach. The problems of personnel, fitness, and weather are challenges that are not easy to solve in just three days. However, in football, especially in knockout tournaments, nothing is certain. U23 Vietnam has proven they can create surprises, and the upcoming quarterfinal will be their final chance to assert that at this year's tournament.