Chuangzhou, revisited

Eight years ago, under coach Park Hang Seo, U23 Vietnam stunned Asia by reaching the final of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in Chuangzhou, China. It was the country’s first time on such a grand continental stage - and a turning point that forever changed how Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia viewed Vietnamese football.

Since then, that feat has remained unmatched. While subsequent U23 squads have shown promise, none has made it past the quarterfinals. As such, every return to this tournament raises a familiar question: Can Vietnam do it again?

This time is no different. Heading into the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, fans are hopeful - especially since the team enjoyed a relatively stable 2025 season and benefited from long-term, methodical preparations backed by the Vietnam Football Federation.

That optimism is echoed in the words of team captain Khuat Van Khang. The midfielder, born in 2003, boldly declared a goal of reaching the final - a statement that reflects the confidence and ambition within the squad. When players dare to voice such lofty aims, it often signals that the team has the inner strength to chase them.

A dream within reach

Of course, making the final of any continental tournament is no easy feat. Even the 2018 Chuangzhou miracle had elements of timing and luck, including the fact that the tournament didn’t offer Olympic slots at the time, meaning some powerhouse teams didn’t bring their strongest squads. That context needs to be acknowledged to avoid excessive optimism.

Still, a closer look at U23 Vietnam today suggests that chasing a new miracle isn’t just wishful thinking. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s greatest asset may lie in the team’s experience. Players like Thai Son, Van Khang, Dinh Bac, and Vi Hao are no strangers to high-pressure matches.

Many of them were called up to the senior national team under coach Philippe Troussier and faced top-tier Asian opponents such as South Korea, Uzbekistan, and China just two years ago. Over the past year, they’ve also gained further exposure at the U23 level, sharpening both their tactical awareness and mental resilience.

This wealth of experience gives U23 Vietnam a solid foundation as they enter the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. And let’s not forget - youth tournaments often yield surprises, opening the door for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players to write a new chapter of success for Vietnamese football.

Duy Nguyen