There is a need for significant investment in the Vietnamese Under-23 national team.
The way the Vietnam U23 national team defeated Thailand and drew with Qatar to win the 2026 VTV U23 Gia Lai Cup demonstrated the great potential of this new generation of players, who are no less capable than their predecessors.
GREAT POTENTIAL
The Vietnamese U23 national team is currently leading the way in Southeast Asia in reaching the continental stage, having participated in the Asian U23 Championship finals six consecutive times, reaching the quarterfinals on two occasions and winning a silver and a bronze medal. The team boasts a new generation of promising players who, with adequate investment, can grow and develop further. Thanks to the U23 International Friendly Tournament - Gia Lai VTV Cup 2026 - these young talents have demonstrated great self-confidence, thanks to their technical ability and composure. Minh Hoang and Minh Tam have stood out for their technical and creative play.
Furthermore, the current central defenders of the Vietnam Under-23 national team are physically strong, have excellent stamina, and play very solidly. In midfield, Quang Duyet, Quang Vinh, Thanh Trung, and Cong Phuong are all capable of controlling the ball and escaping pressure.
Photo: Independent
Commenting on his players' performance, coach Dinh Hong Vinh said: "I'm very satisfied with this group of players, because in all three recent matches they dared to play the ball, controlled it confidently, and coordinated the game at high speed. Of course, they still have a lot to improve when surrounded and pressured by opponents."
Football expert Doan Minh Xuong shared the same opinion: "Objectively speaking, in a tournament with Qatar U23s as a formidable opponent, while Thailand and Singapore U23s are competing at the regional level, Vietnam U23s have shown many positive aspects. For example, Minh Tam has demonstrated the potential of a center forward thanks to his positioning in front of goal and his team spirit, qualities that are currently lacking in Vietnamese football. Vietnam U23s have great potential if they dare to play attacking football and impose their own game with players like Dang Khoa, Minh Hoang, Gia Bao, Van Thuan, Le Phat... who are very unpredictable and have several seasons of experience in the V-League. They need effective investment to develop fully."
Playing against strong opposing teams helps you hone your skills.
In 2018, the Vietnamese U23 national team took second place at the Asian Championships thanks to a month-long training camp in Europe, sponsored by Mr. Duc, for the Vietnamese U19 national team, which had already played a few years earlier. In 2026, the team led by Dinh Bac, who had had numerous opportunities to compete against South Korea , China, and Uzbekistan in the Chinese national team, won the bronze medal at the Asian U23 Championships. Half of the current Vietnamese U23 national team's starting players have already won the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian U23 Championships, and reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games. However, some players, such as Tuan Khai, Quang Duyet, Anh Tiep, Hoang Anh... still lack international experience. Expert Doan Minh Xuong said: "The new generation of players will require significant investment through high-level competitive matches, just like their predecessors, and perhaps even more so. Vietnam's goal is to surpass Southeast Asia's borders, even reaching the Asian top 10, so the search for and investment in young talent for the Vietnamese national team must be constant. It is crucial that the Vietnam U23 national team continues to receive investment and be involved, alongside the senior team, during FIFA Days, to develop in the most competitive environment possible."
Mr. Doan Minh Xuong also
commented : "Given that the 2027 Asian Cup has been postponed to the end of December 2027, coach Kim Sang-sik must adapt his strategy between now and the end of next year. The Vietnamese national team must build its team not only for the 2027 Asian Cup, but also for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. The fact that the Vietnamese national team must start scouting for new talent now will open up opportunities for the members of the U-23 national team. Of course, the players themselves must also strive to further improve and accelerate their development. First of all, they must play regularly for their clubs to gain experience in a highly competitive environment. But in the long term, the task of the VFF is to invest decisively and effectively so that, after the U-23 tournament in Qatar, they have the opportunity to play against Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Japan, South Korea... Only by facing strong opponents will the young talents of the U-23 national team have the chance to further hone their skills."