Draw for U23 Southeast Asia 2025: Vietnam in a super easy group

Draw for U23 Southeast Asia 2025: Vietnam in super easy group photo 1

The 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship will take place from July 15 to 31, 2025 in Indonesia. Ten youth teams from the region will compete, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste and defending champion Vietnam.

10 teams have been drawn into 3 groups. Indonesia is in the same group as Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei. Thailand is in the same group as Myanmar and Timor Leste. Vietnam is in group B with Laos and Cambodia.

Overall, even though Cambodian and Lao youth football has developed over the years, this is a very easy group for Viktor Le and his teammates. If they show their true ability, U23 Vietnam is completely capable of beating both opponents to take the absolute lead and continue (only the top team of the 3 groups will have a ticket to the semi-finals, the remaining spot is for the second-placed team with the best record).

It is somewhat puzzling that Singapore is still not participating in this event. Normally, teams would consider the Southeast Asian U23 tournament as an important practice opportunity to start the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers (taking place in September this year), followed by the 33rd SEA Games (taking place in November). However, Singapore chose not to participate in the regional playground after a heavy 0-7 defeat to Vietnam in the 2021 tournament.

Draw for U23 Southeast Asia 2025: Vietnam in super easy group photo 2

Viktor Le is expected to shine in the U23 Vietnam shirt.

In the history of the U23 Southeast Asian tournament, this event has only been held 4 times, and Vietnam has won 2. In 2021, the team beat Thailand in the final. In 2023, Vietnam beat Indonesia on penalties.

This year, U23 Vietnam still puts its faith in the young generation who have devoted many years to the team such as Ho Van Cuong, Hong Phuc, Van Truong, Thai Son, Long Vu, Quoc Viet... In particular, the team has the presence of overseas Vietnamese including Viktor Le and possibly Alex Bui.

In addition, two members of the national team who are still old enough to play for the U23 team, Van Khang and Ly Duc, can also be called up. The help of these names can help U23 Vietnam successfully defend the throne.