Vietnam U23 return to training, setting sights on the quarter-final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026
On the afternoon of January 13 (local time), Vietnam U23 returned to the training ground, beginning their preparations for the quarter-final match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
14/01/2026 10:17:41
Having just come through an intense match against hosts Saudi Arabia U23 in the final group-stage fixture, head coach Kim Sang Sik placed priority on recovery measures in the team’s first training session after the match. Players who had featured for more than 60 minutes focused on recovery exercises, while the remaining players worked on maintaining their physical condition and continued to fine-tune tactical elements as required by the coaching staff.
Speaking ahead of the session, forward Nguyen Quoc Viet said: “Looking ahead to the quarter-finals, the whole team will review match footage, analyze our opponents and listen carefully to the plans proposed by the coaching staff in order to prepare as thoroughly as possible. In the current attacking line, everyone has the ability and is ready to contribute whenever given the opportunity.”
Recalling Vietnam U23’s historic journey at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2018, Quoc Viet expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of the previous generation: “In 2018, I was still in Gia Lai and followed the senior players’ matches. I have always hoped that one day I could, together with my teammates, recreate that spirit and image, and bring joy to the fans.”
Later that evening, head coach Kim Sang Sik, together with several members of the coaching staff, was present at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium to watch the match between UAE U23 and Syria U23 — a fixture that would determine Vietnam U23’s opponent in the quarter-finals. The 1-1 draw saw UAE U23 finish second in Group B and become the opponents of Coach Kim Sang Sik’s side in the quarter-final.
In the other Group B match, Japan U23 continued to demonstrate their strength with a 2-0 victory over Qatar U23, becoming the second team to finish the group stage with a perfect record, after Vietnam U23. As a result, the first two quarter-final pairings have been confirmed: Vietnam U23 vs UAE U23, and Japan U23 vs Jordan U23. The remaining two quarter-final matchups will be determined following the final round of Group D matches on the evening of January 14.
According to the schedule, Vietnam U23 will face UAE U23 at 22:30 (Vietnam time) on January 16. The coaching staff are actively gathering and analyzing information on the opponents, building suitable tactical plans with the aim of extending Vietnam U23’s impressive journey at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
