Vietnam U23 at 2026 Asian Games: Quarterfinals Are a Starting Point, Not the Destination

At the 2026 Asian Games, Vietnam U23 enters the continental arena with a quarterfinal target set by VFF – a milestone within reach, yet carrying meaning far beyond a simple advancement ticket. The red-shirted team not only represents the generation that won the AFC U23 bronze medal earlier this year, but also serves as a crucial test under the watchful eye of national team head coach Kim Sang-sik.

Hook: A door that opens for more than just the Asian Games

One late September afternoon in 2026, in a small hotel in Hanoi, I had a chance to chat with a VFF scout. He flipped open his notebook and pointed to the names of 23 U23 players about to depart for the Asian Games. "Look here," he said, "16 of them trained together in July. The other seven are no strangers either. They've touched each other on the pitch, sweated together under Hanoi's heat. This is not just a squad – it's a shared breath."

That shared breath, in football, is often the hardest thing to find. When a team undergoes the same training cycle, shares the same pressure, passes become invisible and runs become instinct. For Vietnam U23, this stability is the foundation to think not only of the quarterfinals, but also of the semifinals – even a medal.

Context: A tough group, but opportunities wide open

Vietnam U23 is grouped with Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and the Philippines. Uzbekistan – runners-up of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship – is the most formidable opponent, boasting superior physicality and tactical discipline. But the other two, Kuwait and the Philippines, are within reach of coach Dinh Hong Vinh's pupils.

Kuwait was once a West Asian powerhouse, but their youth football is in reconstruction. The Philippines, despite physical advantages, lacks high-level experience. If Vietnam U23 makes the most of these two matches – controlling tempo, exploiting opponents' mistakes – a quarterfinal ticket is well within grasp.

I recall the 2026 Asian Games, when Vietnam U23 under coach Park Hang-seo made history by reaching the final. That generation also started from a tough group, but with teamwork and thorough preparation, they went all the way to the gold medal match. This current squad – those who won the AFC U23 bronze earlier this year – carries a similar spiritual legacy.

Core: More than a tournament – a test for the future

The 2026 Asian Games is not merely another games. For coach Kim Sang-sik, it is a chance to directly assess potential successors for the senior national team after the 2027 Asian Cup. His decision to switch from an U21 squad to nearly the strongest lineup says it all: he does not see the Asian Games as a friendly, but as a real ability test.

Among the 23 players are names like Ly Duc, Quang Kiet, Pham Minh Phuc, Le Phat, and Ngoc My – familiar faces in the V-League. They have one or two seasons in Vietnam's top flight, which is invaluable experience. But the Asian Games is a different challenge: international pressure, harsh weather, and opponents from various football backgrounds.

Every pass, every tackle at the Asian Games is noted by coach Kim. He is not just looking for skill, but for character – something that emerges only when a player stands before a noisy stadium, facing a stronger opponent. As I have witnessed over many seasons, future stars are often born in such tournaments.

Contrarian: Quarterfinals are not the final destination, Asian Games not the only ticket

A common view is that if Vietnam U23 reaches the quarterfinals, they have fulfilled the target. But in reality, with the current squad, the quarterfinals are just the starting point. A semifinal berth – even a medal – is entirely possible if the team maintains focus and capitalizes on opportunities.

However, we must recognize that the Asian Games is not the only door to the national team. Many excellent V-League players without youth team spots can still be called up. The Asian Games is a chance to assert oneself, but not a prerequisite. What matters more is consistent performance at their club.

I recall the story of a young player who shone at the 2026 Asian Games but later faded due to lack of V-League starting berth. Conversely, some players not selected for the Asian Games still rose through steady domestic performances. This shows that the Asian Games is just one of many tests. The national team door truly opens only when a player secures a starting spot in the V-League and proves his worth over multiple seasons.

Takeaway: The first step on a long journey

The 2026 Asian Games will be where Vietnam U23 writes the first pages of their future story. Whatever the outcome, this tournament is a chance for young players to prove they deserve the trust of coach Kim Sang-sik. I believe, if they know how to seize every minute on the pitch, every rare opportunity, the quarterfinals are not a limit, but a springboard to fly higher.

Vietnamese football has created miracles from humble beginnings. This U23 generation has the qualities to continue that tradition. The question is: will they have the courage to grab the opportunity, and the patience to turn the Asian Games into a stepping stone for a bigger career? Time will tell, but right now, I choose to believe in the eyes of those boys in red.