Vietnam U19: Can They Win the Southeast Asian Championship?

The Vietnam U19 team is actively training for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, with their opening match scheduled for June 1 against Timor Leste. This tournament is a crucial stepping stone for coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's squad as they prepare for the 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The team began its preparations on April 28 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center and included a 10-day training camp in Japan. During this camp, they played four friendly matches against older opponents to hone their skills. However, the preparation has not been without its difficulties. Coach Ikeuchi is unable to field his strongest lineup due to conflicts with domestic league schedules, high school graduation exams, and player injuries.

Several key players are unavailable. Midfielder Tran Dac Loc is injured, while experienced defender Dinh Quang Kiet and forward Tran Gia Bao cannot participate as they are with Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) for their final two matches of the V-League 2025-2026 season. Additionally, forwards Pham Anh Khoi (Royal Antwerp) and Nguyen Le Phat (Ninh Binh) are also absent. Khoi is recovering from a ligament tear, and Phat is needed by Ninh Binh in their V-League title race.

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Some players I wanted are unavailable for objective reasons. However, U19 Vietnam still has many other quality players. I and the coaching staff have prepared very carefully for U19 Vietnam to head to the Southeast Asian Championship with a spirit of not giving up. No matter how difficult it is, the whole team will overcome it together.

Despite these absences, coach Ikeuchi remains optimistic about the current squad's quality. "Some players I wanted are unavailable for objective reasons. However, U19 Vietnam still has many other quality players," he stated. "My coaching staff and I have prepared thoroughly for the Southeast Asian Championship with a spirit of never giving up. No matter the difficulties, the whole team will overcome them together."

The team's recent training camp in Japan helped them assess their squad, refine their playing style, and improve their ability to adapt to high-intensity matches. Playing against U20 and U22 teams from Shizuoka Sangyo University, Tokai Gakuen University, and Shimizu S-Pulse's B team provided valuable experience. The tournament format allows the top team from each of the three groups, along with the best second-placed team, to advance to the semifinals. Coach Ikeuchi identifies hosts Indonesia, who have players with U17 World Cup experience, as Vietnam's toughest opponent in the group stage. "Indonesia is a very strong opponent, but our goal is to advance as far as possible and achieve the highest ranking in the tournament," Ikeuchi affirmed.

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Indonesia is a very strong opponent, but our goal is to advance as far as possible and achieve the highest ranking in the tournament.