Vietnam U20s face a difficult task in the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers after suffering a 3-0 defeat to North Korea in their opening match. The result leaves coach Yutaka Ikeuchi’s side bottom of Group C with no points and a goal difference of minus three.

After the opening round, North Korea U20s lead the group with three points and a goal difference of plus three. Iran U20s are second, also on three points but with a goal difference of plus one following their 2-1 victory over Palestine U20s. Palestine, meanwhile, sit above Vietnam thanks to a better goal difference.

Under the format of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, the eight group winners and the seven best runners-up will qualify for the finals. The opening defeat has therefore not ended Vietnam’s chances, although their path to qualification has become considerably more difficult.

Vietnam’s most important objective now is to beat Palestine in their Sept. 3 match. Three points would put the team back in contention before a potentially decisive encounter with Iran on Sept. 6.

The ideal scenario is for Vietnam to win both remaining matches and finish with six points. That would put their bid for second place in their own hands and reduce their dependence on results from other qualifying groups.

If Vietnam collect four points from their final two matches, they will still have a chance, but qualification could come down to goal difference and how the other runners-up perform. By contrast, if they manage only one win, their prospects of advancing will become very slim.

The AFC’s new format also means teams must keep fighting until the final whistle. Teams with the poorest records among those finishing at the bottom of their groups will be at a disadvantage in future qualifying campaigns.

The match against Palestine is therefore crucial for Vietnam. Victory could reopen the door to the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals, while any further slip-up would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Thien Binh