Belief in advancement
Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team brought glory to Vietnamese football in the final days of 2025 with their SEA Games 33 championship. Now, they are the pioneers of Vietnamese sports in 2026 as they compete internationally. Therefore, the public's attention and the expectations of fans for the Vietnam U23 team are immense, especially after their successes in 2025 – winning the Southeast Asian U23 Championship, qualifying for the U23 Asian Championship, and winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal.
This attention and expectation are even greater because, at this same tournament, the Vietnam U23 team, with players like Quang Hai and Cong Phuong, won the runner-up title in Changzhou (China) in 2018, in addition to reaching the quarter-finals twice more recently in 2022 and 2024.
The consecutive successes over the past year did not come from a sudden burst of talent, but rather the result of a well-planned and long-term preparation process. Seven training camps and numerous international friendly matches against opponents of varying skill levels and styles have helped the young players accumulate valuable experience, hone their competitive spirit, and elevate their tactical thinking. Besides technical skills, the fighting spirit is the greatest "weapon" of the Vietnam U23 team.
From the U23 Southeast Asian Championship to the 33rd SEA Games, the image of young players giving their all and never giving up until the very last minute has become a strong impression. It was this spirit that helped the team overcome difficult times and tense, decisive matches to reach the podium of glory. This is also crucial preparation for the U23 Asian Championship – where the pressure, pace, and intensity of play are all very high.
Of course, the 2026 AFC U23 Championship will be a completely different challenge. U23 Jordan, U23 Kyrgyzstan, and especially the host nation U23 Saudi Arabia all possess excellent physical fitness, stamina, and skill levels. The high expectations from fans could be a source of pressure, but it will also be a motivation for U23 Vietnam to excel.
Instead of being hesitant, the team is approaching the tournament with a proactive mindset, ready to compete and prove themselves. The 2026 AFC U23 Championship is therefore not just a tournament, but a benchmark for the progress of Vietnamese youth football. With confidence built on solid progress in recent times, along with determination and a desire to contribute, the Vietnam U23 team is ready to step onto the big stage, carrying the hope of creating a memorable new chapter in their journey to reach continental heights.
Aspiration for breakthrough
The Vietnamese Futsal team has begun training in Ho Chi Minh City in preparation for the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship, which will take place later this month in Indonesia. With a squad largely composed of players who recently participated in the SEA Games 33 (alongside the return of three key players: Minh Tri, Thai Huy, and Ngoc Son), coach Diego Giustozzi and his team will strive to be as well-prepared as possible for the most important tournament of the year.
In the tournament, the Vietnamese team (ranked 20th in the world ) is in Group B with Thailand (11th in the world), Kuwait (40th in the world), and Lebanon (54th in the world). According to experts, this is a manageable group for coach Diego Giustozzi's team to secure one of the top two positions to advance to the quarterfinals.
If they reach the quarterfinals, the Vietnamese team will play against a team from Group A (host Indonesia, ranked 24th in the world; Iraq, ranked 37th; Kyrgyzstan, ranked 43rd; and South Korea, ranked 57th) in the quarterfinals. Indonesia is considered the strongest team in the group but recently lost 0-1 to Vietnam at the SEA Games 33. Vietnam's best performance in continental competitions was reaching the semi-finals in 2016, thus qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time in history. With the current squad and a relatively favorable group and bracket, the opportunity for Thai Huy and his teammates to repeat their achievement from eight years ago is entirely plausible.
The failure to win a medal at the recent SEA Games 33 was a regrettable setback for the Vietnamese national team. However, this is also becoming a motivation for the entire team to reflect on themselves and renew their aspirations. Therefore, in the early days of 2026, the team quickly entered a new training regimen with higher intensity. The goal set by the coaching staff for this training camp is to focus on improving physical fitness, flexibility in transitions, and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In addition, the mental aspect is especially emphasized. Video analysis and frank discussions help the players understand their responsibilities and ignite their desire to prove themselves on the continental stage.
The 2026 Asian Cup is a formidable challenge, bringing together many strong teams. However, the Vietnamese national team will not enter the tournament with apprehension. On the contrary, aiming to advance as far as possible can be seen as a testament to the team's determination to break through. The road ahead is certainly fraught with difficulties, but with a spirit of daring to face challenges and a burning desire to excel, the Vietnamese team is carrying great confidence into Indonesia.
The continental tournament is not only an opportunity to regain the image and trust of fans, but also an important stepping stone for Vietnamese Futsal towards sustainable development and higher goals in the future.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/niem-tin-moi-khat-vong-lon-195137.html
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