2027 AFC U20 qualifiers: Vietnam face Palestine in crucial Group C clash

Vietnam’s U20 team face Palestine at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3 in a match that could reshape the race for a place at the 2027 AFC U20 Championship finals.

Vietnam began Group C with a 3-0 defeat by North Korea and sit last with no points and a goal difference of minus three. Palestine also lost their opener, falling 2-1 to Iran, but rank third because their goal difference is minus one.

The direct meeting gives both teams a chance to recover from disappointing starts. A win would lift Vietnam’s spirits and put the team back into contention before its final group match against Iran on Sept. 6. North Korea and Iran, who both have three points, will meet earlier on Sept. 3. North Korea lead the group with a plus-three goal difference, while Iran are second on plus one.

Vietnam are expected to improve their attacking performance with home advantage and pursue all three points against Palestine. TV360 will broadcast the match, while Tuoi Tre will provide live online coverage.

The qualifiers run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2026. The 32 teams are divided into eight four-team groups and play a single round-robin schedule in Vietnam, Bahrain, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan. The eight group winners and the seven best runners-up will qualify for the finals alongside host China.