U20 Vietnam: Lessons from failure, determination to conquer 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers

U20 Vietnam: Lessons from failure, determination to conquer 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers On the afternoon of September 21, 2026, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in Hanoi, head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and captain Nguyen Quoc Khanh held a press conference ahead of the 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. The press conference took place as the U20 Vietnam team was completing its final days of training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center before entering the most important tournament of the year. Head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, who previously led the Japan U19 team, made notable statements. He said: “We have learned many lessons from the failure at the 2026 U19 Southeast Asia Championship. It was a regrettable memory, but it is a great motivation for us to improve. The whole team has made thorough preparations and is ready to enter the tournament.” He also emphasized the support from various parties: “We received a lot of support from the VFF and clubs, which helped the team make the best preparations.” Nguyen Quoc Khanh, captain of the U20 Vietnam team, also shared his confidence. He said: “The whole team is ready and very determined. The addition of new players has brought new strength and healthy competition. Players who have played in the V-League will bring valuable experience to the team. I hope fans will come to the stadium to cheer for the team in the coming time.” The U20 Vietnam team is in Group C with the U20 teams of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Palestine. This group is considered quite competitive as Iran is a traditional power in Asian football, while the DPR Korea team is an unpredictable factor but has a good physical foundation. Assessing the opponents, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi said: “The DPR Korea team is a very strong team, they always have good physical and mental play. This is an opponent that is difficult to scout. However, we will focus on executing the tactics we have planned.” Meanwhile, the head coach of the U20 DPR Korea team also made statements at the press conference. He acknowledged Vietnam's home advantage but affirmed that his team would not be easily defeated. Palestine is considered the weakest team in the group as they face difficulties in assembling their squad because their players are playing in various countries. Ahead of the tournament, the U20 Vietnam team had to change some personnel due to injuries, but the coaching staff said they have proactively found solutions to ensure the strongest squad. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi said the team has a good foundation in tactical preparation and is focusing on narrowing the ability gap between positions. According to experts, U20 Vietnam has a great chance to secure a spot in the 2027 U20 Asian Cup final round when playing at home with the support of many fans. However, everything will depend on the result of the opening match against the DPR Korea, the team considered the biggest unknown in the group. With high determination and thorough preparation, the U20 Vietnam team aims to qualify for the 2027 U20 Asian Cup final round. This is also an opportunity for young Vietnamese players to assert their talent on the continental stage.