U20 Vietnam Finalizes Squad for Qualifiers: Strength from the 'Sediment Layer' and the Striker Puzzle

Today (August 25), the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially announced the 23-player squad of U20 Vietnam for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, to be held in Viet Tri, Phu Tho from August 31 to September 6. The presence of two players who have already established their names at the national team level – Nguyen Le Phat and Dinh Quang Kiet – is the biggest tactical highlight, showing that the ambition is not just to pass the group stage. But alongside the confidence from that 'sediment layer', the question of the attack remains open, with trust placed in young strikers who have little international experience. The lengthy training trip in Japan with 6 friendlies was a long enough period for head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi to evaluate the squad and perfect the playing style. Not just routine matches, this trip also represented a strategic investment by the VFF in preparation quality. Choosing Japan, a football nation known for high intensity and organization, shows that the coaching staff wants young players to get used to a more demanding match tempo than the regional average. This is all the more meaningful given that Vietnam's biggest opponent in the group is Iran, a team famous for physical strength and strong pressing. According to VFF sources, the final list was trimmed from 30 players after the training trip, including 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 forwards. This balance reflects the philosophy of a Japanese coach, who values discipline and organization. Coach Ikeuchi, who previously worked at J.League youth academies, is known for building a high-pressing style and quick ball circulation. Yet notably, he chose a solid defensive core, showing the pragmatism of a strategist who understands that in a short tournament, solidity matters more than flair. The biggest highlight in this squad is the return of Nguyen Le Phat in midfield. Born in 2026, he has experience competing in the U23 Asian Cup, where he played a major role in helping U23 Vietnam win a bronze medal. At the U20 level, Le Phat is an 'adult' in a young playground, with his ability to read the game, pass, and control the tempo. His presence not only raises the team's quality but also provides a mental anchor for his younger teammates. In recent training sessions, Le Phat was often assigned the vice-captain role, a deserved recognition of his class and influence. Equally impressive, Dinh Quang Kiet – the 2026 ASEAN Championship winner – is seen as a 'quality upgrade' for the defense. With good anticipation and an ideal physique, Quang Kiet will partner with captain Nguyen Quoc Khanh to form a solid wall in front of goalkeeper Nguyen Bao. The combination of these two center-backs brings great reassurance to the defense, which was identified as a weakness to fix after the friendlies in Japan. Coach Ikeuchi once said: 'We have worked a lot on defensive organization, because in youth tournaments, individual mistakes often cost goals.' Looking at the list of forwards, the expectation seems to rest on the shoulders of Nguyen Van Tung, a striker who is in top form in the national U19 championship. Alongside him are names like Tran Gia Bao, Le Van Quyet, players with speed and skill but who have not been tested on the international stage. The absence of a main striker with the same class as Le Phat in the midfield worries many experts. However, there is information that Coach Ikeuchi may deploy Le Phat higher up, as an attacking midfielder, to capitalize on his long-range shooting ability. This would add diversity to the playing style, but would also reduce creativity in the midfield line. Regarding opponents, U20 Vietnam is in a group with hosts Iran, along with DPR Korea and Palestine. Iran is rated as the strongest team, with superior physical foundation and a high-pressing style. However, U20 Vietnam has the home advantage and a rising spirit following the achievements of the U23 and national team. The opening match against DPR Korea on August 31 is the first challenge, and experts believe it could be the most difficult match. This East Asian team always has thorough preparation and excellent tactical discipline, despite having few stars. Meanwhile, the final match against Iran on September 6 could be the group decider. With the qualifying format, the group winners and the best runners-up will earn the right to play in the 2027 U20 Asian Cup finals. Therefore, a draw against Iran could be enough, but to do that, U20 Vietnam needs a tight defensive game and sharp counter-attacks. Coach Ikeuchi has had special drills for set pieces, a lethal weapon against North Asian teams. The home advantage at the Viet Tri stadium is a great mental support. The young players will receive the enthusiastic encouragement of the home fans, creating an atmosphere no different from an official national team match. However, the pressure will also be greater. In the history of Vietnamese youth football, there have been many instances where the young team underperformed when playing at home in a crucial tournament. Excessive expectations sometimes become a burden, and this is something the coaching staff must manage well. Financially, the Japan training camp is a testament to the VFF's serious commitment to youth football. The cost for 6 friendlies, travel, and accommodation in a high-cost country like Japan is substantial, but the VFF considers it a worthwhile investment. The recent successes of Vietnamese youth football, from the U23 Southeast Asian championship to the U23 Asian Cup bronze, have created a positive feedback loop: the more success, the more investment. This U20 qualifier is an important checkpoint for this process. The regional context is also changing rapidly. Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are all heavily investing in academies and youth development systems. Vietnam cannot be complacent with current achievements and must continuously improve. Coach Ikeuchi brings a fresh wind, with advanced coaching methods and modern tactical thinking. The Japan training trip not only helps young players improve their skills but also helps them understand the culture of professional football, something that cannot be learned domestically. However, not everything is rosy. Many opinions suggest that relying too much on players with 'over-age' experience can create dependency. In youth football, the difference in level sometimes makes other young players complacent, reducing their initiative. If Le Phat or Quang Kiet get injured or are marked out of the game, will the replacement players have enough courage to shine? This is a risk that the coaching staff needs to have contingency plans for. Another blind spot is the fact that the 6 friendlies in Japan may not reflect the true pressure of an official match. Friendly matches are usually lower intensity, have no decisive stakes, and players tend to play more relaxed. When entering the qualifiers, with the support of home fans and media attention, everything will be different. Coach Ikeuchi has emphasized the importance of mental stability, and that could be the key factor. The match against DPR Korea will be the first real test. This team has limited information, rarely shows itself, yet is very tough. They play high pressing, constantly move off the ball, and have a high fighting spirit. If U20 Vietnam can overcome this challenge, confidence will soar. Conversely, a defeat could put the entire campaign in a difficult position. Regarding the match with Palestine, this is considered the weakest opponent in the group, but we should not be complacent. West Asian football always has surprises, and Palestine has made significant progress in recent years. U20 Vietnam must secure all three points against this opponent to build a goal difference advantage, in case calculations with Iran are needed. In terms of style, Coach Ikeuchi is building a system based on ball control and proper pressing. Unlike the previous style of Vietnamese youth teams, which often favored defensive counter-attacks, the Japanese strategist wants his players to take the initiative, keep possession, and create the game. This requires confidence and good individual technique, which young Vietnamese players are gradually improving thanks to better training foundations. The combination of experience from Le Phat and Quang Kiet and the enthusiasm of other young players creates a team with depth. Coach Ikeuchi can flexibly switch between formations such as 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 depending on the opponent. In the opening training sessions at Viet Tri, he has tested many options, especially using Le Phat as a 'number 10' drifting to the left, capitalizing on his dribbling and long shots. The team's morale is very high. The players have expressed great determination in interviews. Captain Quoc Khanh said: 'We know people expect a lot from us, and that is motivation for us to try harder every day. We want to bring joy to the fans.' This confidence is crucial, but it also needs to be controlled so as not to become arrogance. Looking back at history, Vietnamese youth football has had many setbacks in Asian tournaments despite being highly rated. The lessons from previous generations are being absorbed by the current young players. Making it through the U20 Asian Cup qualifiers is not the ultimate goal, but a stepping stone towards the youth World Cup – a distant dream but no longer too far-fetched. With what has been shown, U20 Vietnam has enough reason to be optimistic. However, football is a sport of surprises. We cannot predict what will happen. But one thing is certain: this generation of players is benefiting from a better training foundation, more systematic investment, and a more progressive tactical philosophy. The word 'dare' – dare to play, dare to express, dare to take responsibility – will be the decisive quality. The first match against DPR Korea will be broadcast live on Vietnamese television sports channels. Fans will look towards Viet Tri, where young boys are carrying the pride of a nation. They may not be the brightest stars, but they are the future of Vietnamese football. And with this careful preparation, the dream of participating in the U20 Asian Cup finals is within reach. Ultimately, the most important thing is how this generation can learn from pressure and grow after the tournament. Whatever the result, the experience from this qualifier will be a precious asset for the young players on their career path. Coach Ikeuchi and his staff are proving day by day that Vietnamese football is not only strong at the youth level because of age advantages, but also thanks to a sustainable development strategy. The 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers are the place to prove it.