U23 Vietnam's opponent calls up players from Europe to compete at ASIAD 20: Strategy or youth gamble?

I have lived nearly seven decades to understand that football never tells its story the way we expect. On the day they announced that Uzbekistan's U23 would bring a U21 squad to ASIAD 20, I remembered those Moscow nights, the Croatia-England semi-final where an old man tearfully spoke about Modrić: that boy runs with twenty years of exile. Now, another young generation of Uzbekistan is being given the chance to run on a big stage – not for immediate glory, but to prepare for goals further ahead, all the way to 2028. When the news said U23 Vietnam would face a younger Uzbek team at the group stage, many thought it was an easy gift. But let me tell you about Uzbek football, about a country that always knows how to make dreamers like me fall silent. Their team is not weak, even if it is U21. This is a deliberate, calculated strategy, not a sign of disrespect for the tournament. Let's start with a number: Uzbekistan's coach summoned 26 players to train in Japan – the host nation of ASIAD 20. Among them are young players currently playing in Europe, notably Mukhammadali Urinboev – an attacking player at Royal Antwerp in the Belgian league. This is a small but meaningful detail. I have followed Asian football for decades, and I can say that Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country, producing players in Europe is no longer rare, but still worth recording. Urinboev, valued at around 400,000 euros by Transfermarkt – a modest figure by European standards, but among the highest at ASIAD 20. He can play as an attacking midfielder or on both wings – a rare versatility for a player in his early twenties. I have covered such young talents at Olympic Games and World Cups. They often carry a very distinctive U21 spirit: bold, eager to prove themselves, and ready to pay the price with sweat on the pitch. What I find most striking in my analysis of this match is the fact that Uzbekistan is deliberately using ASIAD 20 as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Asian U23 Championship and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That is a distant, bold, somewhat crazy ambition in the eyes of those who only see immediate victories. But if you have heard the story of the lambs of the Tian Shan mountains, you would understand that the shepherd never hurries to bring his sheep to market before they are fully grown. Look at their squad structure. 26 players were summoned, but most likely they will bring to ASIAD a squad primarily consisting of players from Uzbekistan's domestic league: Pakhtakor, Nasaf, Olympic MobiUz. I know these names, as I have followed ASIAD, the Asian U23 Championships, and the Youth World Cups over many years. Young Uzbek teams do not have many internationally famous players, but they have a stable youth development system and an ingrained tactical discipline from the old Soviet school. That means they are not afraid of any opponent, even one like U23 Vietnam that is rising as we are. But why do they do this? Why choose to face an older, more experienced opponent like U23 Vietnam, when they could field their strongest squad and compete for medals? I believe the answer is not that they disregard the tournament, but that they have seen the bigger picture: preparation for 2028. I once wrote in my notebook: a dreamer is someone who sees a sky full of stars while others see only darkness. Uzbekistan is seeing the stars of 2028. From a tactical perspective, choosing players younger than the age limit often carries a risk: physicality and maturity are not yet sufficient compared to U23 opponents. In modern football, speed and strength are vital, and I think the physical condition of Uzbekistan's U21 players will be a major test when they face U23 Vietnam's better-built defenders. But remember that football is not just about muscle. It is also about the ability to read the game, honed through years of playing in a structured environment. And these young players are being trained in a more modern football environment than ever before. I have seen Asian youth teams play high-pressing, intense football despite their inexperience. That could turn the match into a race of speed and endurance, where U23 Vietnam's concentration is challenged to the limit. On the other hand, in my analysis, Uzbekistan has a huge advantage: they are preparing thoroughly in Japan. Their friendly against China on September 10 before the ASIAD 20 starts is a clear sign they are testing their strength against a developed Asian side. That match is not just a rehearsal, but also a way for the young players to get used to the tense atmosphere and the pressure of an international match. And when you step into a match against China, you cannot treat it as an easy game. The biggest issue for U23 Vietnam lies in psychology and underestimating the opponent. I have witnessed many matches where a theoretically stronger team lost because they thought the opponent was weaker. U23 Vietnam is facing a great opportunity with Uzbekistan using U21, Kuwait, and Philippines in the group. But if they are complacent, if they think victory is inevitable, then football will punish them. I once said: 'The scoreboard cannot reflect the heart, and football writes poetry in those places.' And the hearts of the young Uzbek players are burning with a desire to prove themselves worthy of the team's trust. Another point I want to emphasize: Uzbekistan using the U21 squad is not like they are giving up the tournament. In fact, this is a reverse psychological move. They bring players full of enthusiasm, ready to fight without the pressure of fame. Meanwhile, U23 Vietnam may be expected to win, to achieve good results, and when you carry the burden of expectation, you make more mistakes. I have witnessed this many times at World Cups and Olympics. I still remember tears of young players when they couldn't overcome the psychological barrier in an important match. Not only that, I think this is a noteworthy football-economic lever. Urinboev, despite being valued at only 400,000 euros by Transfermarkt, represents a smartly invested football resource in Uzbekistan. They don't just send players to Europe, they have a long-term plan to develop and sell players to strengthen the finances of clubs and the national team. If Urinboev has an impressive performance at ASIAD 20, his value will undoubtedly rise quickly. That is the law of the transfer market, and I have witnessed countless young players from emerging football nations like Uzbekistan becoming stars during a major tournament. Will Urinboev, wearing the U23 Uzbekistan shirt, bring a different European wind? I believe players who have played in Belgium, the Netherlands, or other top European leagues usually have a very significant difference in tactical awareness when they return to play for the national team. They can read space better, move more intelligently in a pressing or zonal defensive system, and especially know how to handle the ball under high pressure. This makes U23 Vietnam more cautious about the young European-based stars in the opponent's squad. But this match is not just a contest of stars, but of the whole team and the coaching staff. Look at how Coach Khaydarov builds the Uzbek squad. I have had the opportunity to analyze matches of Uzbek youth teams in recent years. They often use a flexible tactical formation, ready to switch from defensive counter-attacking to possession-based depending on the opponent. Moreover, with such young players, they can play with high intensity for 90 minutes without suffering significant drops, because they haven't gone through a dense match schedule like professional players in Europe. In contrast, U23 Vietnam under coach Philippe Troussier – a French strategist – tends to play a controlling style but also likes flexibility. I have followed him since his time with the Japanese national team, and I know he never underestimates any opponent. He will have a thorough plan for the match against Uzbekistan, based on their weaknesses. Most likely he will instruct his players to press high to stop the opponent's build-up from the back, while attacking the space behind Uzbekistan's young defensive line. Financially, summoning players from Europe for a youth team like U23 Uzbekistan is a positive signal. It shows that Uzbek football is not only growing domestically but also has close cooperation with developed football nations like Belgium. Belgian clubs are famous for discovering and training young talents from around the world. Therefore, Urinboev benefits from a professional training environment, not only physically but also tactically and in football thinking. This makes him even more dangerous against Vietnamese defenders who are used to Southeast Asian football rhythm. But from another angle, I feel optimistic for U23 Vietnam. Because this is a chance to prove that Vietnamese football has improved, capable of facing strong teams from West Asia or Central Asia. They have an advantage in age and maturity in playing style. And I think this age difference will create an open, attractive game, because both teams have youth and desire. It is worth recalling that Vietnam's opponents in this group also include Kuwait and Philippines. Kuwait is in a rebuilding phase after years of decline, while Philippines is rising thanks to a policy of naturalizing players. But clearly Uzbekistan is the most uncomfortable opponent, and that is why the match on September 22 is one of the most anticipated matches of the group. If U23 Vietnam can beat a young and ambitious Uzbek team, it would be a strong assertion of Vietnamese football's strength on the continental stage. As I write these lines, it is already late at night. I remember my notebook, where I record not numbers, but tears of players. Once, I noted a substitute player's tears when he didn't get to play, and I thought that was when football became most poetic. In this match, there will be tears. Some will cry from happiness, some from regret. I don't know who will cry, but I know both teams are working tirelessly to write their own story. For U23 Vietnam, I hope they won't fall into the trap of 'younger opponent means easy win'. Football never counts age on paper, but by hearts and minds on the pitch. They need to respect the opponent, but also be confident in their own abilities. Victory not only brings three points, but also creates psychological momentum for the following matches. A draw could be a bad result in the race for the top spot. Therefore, from the first minute, U23 Vietnam must show the highest determination. Let me tell you a story about a sparrow. People often judge sparrows as small and weak, but when winter comes, they still fly across snowy peaks. U23 Vietnam should not look at U23 Uzbekistan with the eyes of an eagle looking at a small prey. Instead, look at them as brothers, as companions in the common development of Asian football. Then the match will become more beautiful and meaningful. Because after all, football is a game, and there is nothing better than playing a match with a worthy opponent. I often tell young reporters: 'My notebooks are full of game tears, and I consider them precious gems.' This match will create a story worth writing in a journal. And I am sure that regardless of the result, the match between U23 Uzbekistan and U23 Vietnam at ASIAD 20 will be one of the most memorable of the tournament. Because there, you see not only nice moves, goals, but also the aspirations of youth and the development strategies of two football nations. As for tonight, I will listen to the breath of the ball and wait for the story of September 22, like an unwritten poem, waiting for fate to pen it. At night on an empty pitch, I hear the breath of the ball. It seems to tell about a generation of young Uzbek players, and also a warning to those who think football is only a matter of age. They call me a dreamer. But the ball has never hidden anything from me: in every game, the one underestimated is often the one who brings the biggest surprises.