Which U.23 star will shine in the Vietnam U.21 jersey at ASIAD 20?

Many players who recently won the bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship will continue to play a leading role in the Vietnam U-21 team competing at the 20th Asian Games, while also aiming for bigger goals in 2028.

Recently, the Asian Olympic Council (OCA) and the AFC agreed that the 16 teams that qualify for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship will also officially qualify for the men's football tournament at the 20th Asian Games in Japan in September. Based on this criterion, only two representatives from Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Thailand, have qualified.

At the recent 2026 AFC U-23 Championship held in Saudi Arabia, the Vietnam U-23 team made a big impact by not only participating but also winning the bronze medal. Facing the opportunity to gain experience at the Asian Games, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided to send the Vietnam U-21 team to participate in the 20th Asian Games.

From "youngest sibling" to "leader"

Accordingly, the core squad going to Japan will include "precious gems" who have just emerged from the continental U.23 tournament. Names such as goalkeeper Cao Van Binh (born in 2005), Pham Dinh Hai (2006), midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong (2006), along with the striker duo Le Van Thuan (2006) and Nguyen Le Phat (2007) are likely to be key players.

Nguyen Le Phat is the youngest member of the Vietnam U.23 team that won the bronze medal at the Asian Championships in January.

PHOTO: TED TRAN

Now, they are no longer the "youngest" members of the team as they were in the tournament in Saudi Arabia, but will play the role of senior players, guiding newer faces. The experience gained from the U.23 Asian Championship is their asset. Although they are only in the U.19 to U.21 age group, breathing the fiercely competitive atmosphere of the 2026 U.23 Asian Championship is a valuable experience in terms of competitive psychology. They are the ones who will pass on the spirit of overcoming difficulties, demonstrated under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, to their teammates.

Vietnam's Olympic Vision for Football in 2028

Sending the U.21 team to the 20th Asian Games is part of the VFF's well-planned strategy to prepare a strong squad for the 2028 U.23 Asian Championship. It's important to note that the 2028 U.23 Asian Championship also serves as a qualifying round for the 2028 Olympics.

With leading players like Cong Phuong, Le Phat, and Van Binh, Vietnamese football will continue its process of scouting for more potential players through ASIAD 20. This generation of players will be nurtured to conquer the U.23 Asian Championship and realize the Olympic dream.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngoi-sao-nao-cua-u23-se-toa-sang-trong-mau-ao-u21-viet-nam-tai-asiad-20-185260211131227626.htm