The men's football tournament at the 20th Asian Games will feature only 16 teams, determined based on criteria linked to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced it will send a U21 team, instead of the enhanced U23 (U23+3) model used in previous editions, prioritizing preparation for the 34th SEA Games (2027) and the 2028 Olympic qualifiers. This is not a decision to compromise on performance, but a well-founded choice.
VFF Vice President Nguyen Xuan Vu stated that the VFF unanimously agreed to send the U21 team to the 20th Asian Games because this age group is suitable for preparing for the 2027 SEA Games and the 2028 Olympics. Furthermore, they decided not to prioritize achieving high results in this tournament, but rather to focus on nurturing young players.
The noteworthy aspect of this U21 squad is that they are "young but not inexperienced." Despite fielding a U21 team, Vietnam still has players of sufficient age and with extensive experience from major tournaments, such as Cao Van Binh, Le Van Thuan, Nguyen Cong Phuong, and Nguyen Le Phat. The U23/U21 framework for the 20th Asian Games is being built to combine youthful energy with battlefield experience, thanks to many players who have international experience and regular playing time in professional leagues.
From a fundamental perspective, the recent success of Vietnamese youth football is a crucial asset. The Vietnam U23 team won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship with a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in the final. Such experiences help the next generation understand the pressure, know how to play in big matches – a vital element when competing at the continental level, where strong opponents and small mistakes can decide everything.
The Vietnam U23/U21 team had a valuable "test" at the CFA Team China 2026 in Xi'an ( China ). There, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team gained experience against opponents with strong physical fitness and organization. In their opening match, Vietnam U23 drew 1-1 with North Korea U23. They scored early (in the 8th minute) but couldn't maintain their advantage as their opponents increased pressure in the second half, thus revealing the challenge of maintaining consistency throughout the 90 minutes.
In the next match, Vietnam U23 lost to Thailand U23 0-1, a result that left Vietnam temporarily at the bottom of the table after two rounds, while Thailand moved to the top. However, this was seen as a "real lesson" for the young players: losing to understand the pace, losing to learn how to handle pressure, and losing to identify areas for improvement before the 20th Asian Games. More importantly, the CFA Team China 2026 showed that the team building approach is on the right track: prioritizing experimentation with different lineups, giving many U21 players opportunities to gain international experience, instead of sticking to a fixed core team.
A team aiming for success in a major tournament cannot rely solely on spirit; it needs individuals capable of making a difference. In the current U21/U23 age group, Le Van Thuan is a name with high expectations thanks to his impressive performances in the V.League. On the evening of April 18th, Le Van Thuan scored the goal that sealed Ninh Binh's 3-0 victory over PVF-CAND in Round 19 of the 2025/26 V.League, in his debut match under coach Bae Ji-won. Thuan's goal came in the 61st minute, helping Ninh Binh secure a comfortable lead and keep their championship hopes alive.
This is the third consecutive match in which Thuan has scored for Ninh Binh. The V.League has therefore become a true launching pad for the U21 generation, allowing players to gain experience, face pressure regarding points, and learn how to make quick decisions in tight spaces. These experiences are often difficult to obtain if only playing in youth leagues, and that's why the U21 squad for the 20th Asian Games was considered "young but not lacking in practical experience."
A noteworthy detail is that the 20th Asian Games coincided almost with the Southeast Asian Football Championship (FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026), potentially putting pressure on personnel and operational management to prioritize selections. This further reinforces the logic of "calculated rejuvenation" given the packed international schedule; stratifying the squad (National Team, U23, U21) to avoid overload and ensure long-term goals is a realistic choice.
The overall picture shows that the Vietnam U21/U23 team has a promising foundation, but to turn "potential" into "achievement," there is still much work to be done between now and the 20th Asian Games. Firstly, increase the playing time at their clubs for the young players. Those who are already starting players in the V.League/First Division will have a clear advantage entering the tournament.
Secondly, maintain the international match schedule, such as the CFA Team China 2026. Matches against North Korea and Thailand showed the gap in physical fitness, speed, and ability to handle pressure, but also pointed out specific areas for improvement for the coaching staff. Thirdly, build a strong core (goalkeeper - center back - central midfielder - forward) so that the team doesn't collapse when facing strong opponents. Several players under the age of 21 could become key players thanks to the experience gained from the U23 Asian Championship and the domestic league.
The 20th Asian Games was a very different competition, but that's precisely why Vietnam's approach to football (sending the U21 team to a "tough arena" to build resilience) could be a worthwhile investment for the next cycle. From the CFA Team China 2026 to the intense rounds of the V.League, the current U21/U23 generation is being "trained" in a sufficiently challenging environment. If given continued opportunities to play and compete in real matches, names like Le Van Thuan, Cao Van Binh, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Le Phat... could absolutely become the new core of the national team in the near future.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/phep-tinh-phu-hop-cho-bong-da-tre-220821.html
