The final matches of the U20 Asian Championship 2025 qualifiers wrapped up with U20 Vietnam failing to secure a place among the best five second-placed teams needed to advance to the finals. In their last group match, a self-goal by Ngoc Chien led to a regrettable loss to U20 Syria, which stripped coach Hua Hien Vinh’s team of their autonomy in qualification.

According to the tournament rules, the top team from each group along with the five best second-placed teams will proceed to the finals in China next year. Unfortunately for U20 Vietnam, standing second in their group meant that their 5-0 victory over Bhutan was discounted, leaving them with only six points and a goal difference of +5.

Looking at other groups, U20 Yemen drew 1-1 with U20 Indonesia, securing 7 points. U20 Kyrgyzstan tied with U20 Japan, also reaching 7 points, while U20 Australia ended in a goalless draw with U20 Saudi Arabia to likewise total 7 points. U20 Jordan, despite a 2-3 loss to U20 Qatar, accumulated 6 points with a goal difference of +8, surpassing U20 Vietnam.

Another Southeast Asian representative, U20 Thailand, also finished with 6 points but ousted Vietnam from the top five runners-up due to their superior goal difference of +17, despite a 0-1 loss to U20 Iraq.

Thus, U20 Vietnam ranked sixth and did not qualify for the U20 Asian Championship, ending with the same points as U20 Thailand and Jordan but with an inferior goal difference. This result marks a significant disappointment for coach Hua Hien Vinh and his squad.

In Southeast Asia, only U20 Thailand and U20 Indonesia managed to secure their spots at the U20 Asian Championship 2025, with the latter advancing as the top team in their group.

Thien Binh