Vietnam U19 returns home, determined to aim for the Asian championship

Vietnam U19 has come back home after their journey at the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, and has started shifting its attention to the important goal of the 2027 AFC U20 Qualifiers held at home.

After wrapping up their campaign at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship in Indonesia,the Vietnam U19 team officially departed to return home on June 11. The squad departed from Medan, transited through Kuala Lumpur, and was expected to arrive in Hanoi early in the afternoon of the same day. Although they failed to achieve their goal of reaching the semifinals, the tournament still brought many positive signals for Vietnamese youth football.

Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's side delivered a fairly convincing performance in the group stage. Vietnam U19 opened with a 3-0 victory over Timor Leste U19, then followed up with a resounding 5-0 win against Myanmar U19. These two consecutive wins showcased the strength and technical progress of the red-shirted team before the decisive match against hosts Indonesia U19.

In the final match of Group A, Vietnam U19 fought hard but suffered a disappointing 1-2 loss to Indonesia U19, conceding a penalty goal in stoppage time. This result saw the team finish as group runners-up and miss the chance to advance to the semifinals. However, the young players' performance still earned positive reviews for their fighting spirit and ability to compete evenly with strong regional opponents.

More importantly, the tournament in Indonesia is seen as a necessary stepping stone for the biggest goal of Vietnam U19 this year: the 2027 AFC U20 Qualifiers. After returning home, the players will rejoin their respective clubs to continue competing and gaining experience. It is expected that after the 2026 National U21 Championship concludes, the team will regroup in late July with additions and adjustments to the squad.

According to the plan of the Vietnam Football Federation, Vietnam U20 will have an extended training camp in Japan from August 8 to August 17. This is considered a crucial phase to help the coaching staff refine the playing style, improve fitness, and enhance the international match experience for the players before entering the continental competition. Quality friendly matches in Japan are expected to provide valuable lessons for the entire team.

In the 2027 AFC U20 Qualifiers, Vietnam U20 is placed in Group C alongside Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Palestine. This group is considered highly challenging as all opponents boast strong youth football foundations. Nevertheless, the advantage of playing at home in Viet Tri, along with early and thorough preparation, will provide a basis for Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's team to aim for a ticket to the 2027 AFC U20 Finals in China.

Under-19