Vietnam U20 finalizes squad for Asian qualifiers: Lessons from failure and faith in 'veterans'

On the afternoon of August 31, at Hanoi, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi finalized the list of 23 Vietnam U20 players for the 2026 Asian U20 qualifiers. In a press conference before departure day, the Japanese strategist did not hide his caution when mentioning the first opponent: U20 DPR Korea. "This is a team with very strong physicality and mentality. We have to prepare as thoroughly as possible," he said. The caution of Coach Ikeuchi comes from an undeniable reality: the regrettable failure at the 2026 U19 Southeast Asian Championship. That is an unhealed wound, a reminder that Vietnamese youth football still has a certain gap compared to regional opponents. But from that failure, this coach has drawn valuable lessons, and most importantly, he has made calculated additions. The biggest highlight in this call-up list is the presence of two names that have established their status at the national team level: midfielder Nguyen Le Phat and defender Dinh Quang Kiet. These are not just talented young players, but also those who have experienced the pinnacle of football, having stood on the victory podium of the ASEAN Cup or won a bronze medal at the U23 Asian Cup finals. Their maturity in composure and match experience is something no tactical class can teach. Their presence in the Vietnam U20 squad is not merely about strengthening. It creates a rare balance between youth and experience. In a tournament where psychological pressure can crush young talents, the calmness of someone who has started for the national team is invaluable. They are seasoned soldiers, ready to lead their juniors through the most difficult moments. However, alongside optimism, there remain big questions. Coach Ikeuchi admitted that researching the DPR Korea opponent was mainly based on "experience and available data." This shows a certain lack of tactical intelligence, a weakness that could be exploited in a tournament as harsh as the Asian qualifiers. Is preparation based on old data enough to face a team rated higher in physicality? Vietnam U20's group in this qualifier is considered quite heavy. Besides DPR Korea, Coach Ikeuchi's students will also face U20 Palestine (September 3) and U20 Iran (September 6). These are all opponents with good physical and technical foundations. The dense schedule, 3 matches in 9 days, is also a significant challenge for squad depth. Looking back at the recent journey, it can be seen that Vietnamese youth football is on the right track. Creating a generation of players who can compete for starting spots in the national team at the U20 age is a very positive signal for sustainable development. Nguyen Le Phat and Dinh Quang Kiet are the clearest evidence of the connection between team levels, a new vitality for the future of Vietnamese football. On the night before departure, I suddenly remembered my days on the pitch, feeling the extreme tension before a big match. Football is inherently a play of mistakes, and I just contributed to making it more watchable. For Vietnam U20 now, the important thing is not to avoid mistakes, but to dare to face them. Because sometimes, failure is the most beautiful motivation to move forward. At 19:00 on August 28, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's team will enter their first match against U20 DPR Korea. Will the lessons from the past and the leadership of the "veterans" be enough to help Vietnam U20 overcome the challenge named Korea? The answer will be on the pitch. And whatever the result, I still believe that this journey is an important part of the maturation process of young talents, who will be the pillars of Vietnamese football in the near future.