Coach Dinh Hong Vinh: Whoever U23 Vietnam meet in Asiad 2026 quarterfinals, they are ready

Nagoya, Japan is enduring the hottest days of the 2026 Asian Games. Amid the prolonged heat, Vietnam U23 wrapped up the men's football group stage with a 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan, the strongest team in Group C. Even so, a quarterfinal berth was already secured by coach Dinh Hong Vinh's side before the final whistle, as other results ensured Vietnam finished in a qualifying position. In the post-match press conference, coach Dinh Hong Vinh made it clear: whoever the quarterfinal opponent is, U23 Vietnam are ready. The match at Nagoya began at a frantic pace set by Uzbekistan. In the 6th minute, the white-shirted side opened the scoring from a quick attack down the right flank. According to Dinh Hong Vinh, it was a moment when Vietnam lacked concentration while Uzbekistan controlled the tempo from the start. “Uzbekistan came out at very high intensity. We had a lapse in concentration and paid for it with a goal. After that, the players stood firm and gradually regained control,” he said. After the early setback, U23 Vietnam did not collapse. The team began to keep the ball more and created several chances in the first half. However, the final pass and finishing lacked sharpness. Dinh Hong Vinh admitted he was not satisfied with the team's ability to exploit attacks in the final third, adding that the playing style was sometimes slow in tempo when facing an organized defense. “In the first half we had chances but could not convert them. If we had equalized, the situation could have been different,” the head coach said. The most striking detail of the press conference was not the scoreline. Dinh Hong Vinh confirmed that both central midfielders, Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, suffered injuries. Xuan Bac was hurt during the Uzbekistan match and could not continue. According to initial assessments, his injury directly reduced the team's ability to control the rhythm of transitions. Losing two key central midfielders at the same time is a serious blow ahead of the knockout stage. Vietnam's dependence on this midfield pair is not new. Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong are vital in Dinh Hong Vinh's tactical setup. They not only shield the defense but also initiate counterattacks. With both unavailable, the coaching staff must consider alternatives, even a structural change in midfield for the quarterfinal. This is the biggest tactical puzzle Vietnam must solve in only three days. Looking at the wider context, U23 Vietnam entered the 2026 Asian Games with a squad mixing returning players from the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and newcomers. Preparation time was short, cohesion was limited, and the lineup changed from match to match. Moreover, many key U23 players had already been promoted to the senior national team, so this roster was not the strongest in terms of experience. Still, Dinh Hong Vinh did not treat this as an excuse. He repeatedly emphasized that the players' spirit was what satisfied him most. “Regardless of the squad, when taking responsibility for the team I am still satisfied with the attitude and fighting spirit of the players. I highly appreciate the effort of the whole team throughout the group stage,” the coach, born in 2026, said. He also expects this new squad to make far progress in the future, viewing the tournament as a stepping stone. Speaking about the quarterfinal, Dinh Hong Vinh said the players need to recover quickly. The congested schedule and the heat in Nagoya since September 13 are major challenges. He revealed that the staff would assess fitness after the match before deciding on the best lineup and game plan for September 25. Ensuring the players regain enough energy in just three days is a priority. In Group D, the situation remains open as South Korea and Saudi Arabia fight for the top spot. Vietnam's quarterfinal opponent will be one of these strong teams or the runner-up from Group D. South Korea usually applies high pressure with intensity, while Saudi Arabia possess technique and physical strength. Both pose different threats from those Vietnam faced in the group stage. Dinh Hong Vinh avoided naming a specific opponent. Instead, he chose a pragmatic tone: the team is mentally ready for any scenario. “In the knockout stage, every opponent is strong. What matters is that we stay focused and play to our ability. U23 Vietnam will enter the match with the best mindset,” he said. This answer suggests he wants to shield his players from psychological pressure before a decisive match. Looking back at the Uzbekistan game, Vietnam's problem was not effort or commitment but the handling of key moments. The 6th-minute goal showed that the team needs to improve its ability to settle into the match from the start. If they concede early again against a stronger opponent in the quarterfinal, the situation becomes much harder. The coach's admission that the team was sometimes slow and lacked efficiency in the final third also signals that solutions are being sought. On the other hand, the loss to Uzbekistan was not a disaster. Vietnam still have their chance to advance and can even play with more freedom in the knockout round. The biggest issue is replacing the two central midfielders. If the medical staff cannot get Xuan Bac or Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong back in time, Dinh Hong Vinh will have to rely on backups. This could lead to tactical adjustments, such as adding a holding midfielder or an extra center-back for more solidity. It should be noted that the press conference information comes mostly from one side. No possession, shot, or expected-goals statistics were published. Dinh Hong Vinh's claims about controlling the ball and creating chances cannot be independently verified. But for assessing personnel and direction ahead of the quarterfinal, his statements remain the most important available channel. The quarterfinal will take place on September 25, 2026 in Nagoya. The three-day gap between the final group match and the knockout game is not long, especially in hot weather. Dinh Hong Vinh will have to plan carefully. If the core players do not recover, Vietnam may have to play without their strongest lineup, but fighting spirit remains the biggest asset. The readiness mentioned by Dinh Hong Vinh does not necessarily mean a promise of victory. It is a way of telling his young players: go out and show your ability, do not be afraid of failure. For a rebuilding team, this mental foundation is crucial. U23 Vietnam have nothing to lose in the quarterfinal. Any result can be explained within the context of a young squad, injuries, and harsh weather. However, experts should also be cautious. Saying “ready” and performing on the pitch are two different things. It would be wrong to underestimate the speed and class of the Group D opponent. Whether Vietnam face South Korea or Saudi Arabia, they will be up against an opponent with superior level and youth-tournament experience. Vietnam's biggest advantage may be the confidence gained from reaching the knockout stage and the mindset of having nothing to lose. Another notable point is the way Dinh Hong Vinh is managing the dressing room at this tournament. His statements are protective of the players and share responsibility. He did not blame any individual after the loss, praised the fighting spirit, and admitted the team's technical weaknesses. That shows a certain level of cohesion despite the limited preparation time. Returning to the personnel story, Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong will be the most closely watched names in the coming days. If either recovers in time, Vietnam will gain more tactical options. If not, Dinh Hong Vinh will have to trust the young backups. This is both a risk and an opportunity for new faces to prove themselves at a turbulent Asian Games. For now, the task for U23 Vietnam is to maintain training intensity, recover physically, and prepare mentally. Dinh Hong Vinh confirmed that the team will have training sessions adapted to the weather and will study potential opponents carefully. He believes that with focus and the right performance, Vietnam can surprise in the quarterfinal. The question is not whether U23 Vietnam dare to dream, but whether they have the fitness and squad depth to last 90 minutes against a top Asian side. Fighting spirit is necessary, but top-level football also requires calculation, tactical discipline, and a bit of luck. September 25 will give the clearest answer. Given what they showed in the group stage, U23 Vietnam deserve their place in the knockout round. The loss to Uzbekistan is an expensive lesson, but it does not overshadow the road ahead. Dinh Hong Vinh and his players still have a chance to continue their story in Nagoya, where the heat may be oppressive but the hearts of the young players have not gone cold. Ultimately, fans are waiting not only for the result but also for the way U23 Vietnam enter the match. Will the team learn to master the opening minutes, or will they concede early again? Can the midfield without its key players keep the rhythm? All will be answered in the quarterfinal of the 2026 Asian Games. Dinh Hong Vinh says the team is ready. Vietnamese football fans are waiting for that to be proven on the Nagoya pitch.