Coach Dinh Hong Vinh’s side face Kuwait in their opening Group C match at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, with Vietnam setting their sights first on advancing from the group stage and then pushing deeper into the tournament.

“We always want to go as far as possible,” Dinh Hong Vinh said. “My players and I will give everything in every match. We always respect our opponents and will play our best to achieve the strongest possible result. Our first important objective is to get through the group stage, and then we will continue trying to go further in the tournament.”

Vietnam have reason for confidence going into their opening game.

The team enjoyed an impressive AFC U23 Asian Cup earlier this year, finishing third, while Kuwait failed to make it through qualification for that tournament.

The teams’ recent head-to-head record also favors Vietnam. Their last meeting in a major international competition came in the group stage of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup, when Vietnam won 3-1 under then-coach Hoang Anh Tuan.

Kuwait, meanwhile, did not participate in either the 2018 or 2023 Asian Games football tournaments.

Still, the West Asian side present a different physical challenge. Kuwait boast strong fitness and size and rely heavily on physical play and aerial balls. While most teams at the Asian Games have opted not to use the three over-age players permitted under tournament regulations, Kuwait have taken full advantage of the rule to strengthen their squad.

Vietnam, by contrast, are competing without over-age players and are also missing several important footballers who are either on club duty or with the senior national team.

Even so, Dinh Hong Vinh has a squad featuring players with experience in Vietnam’s top-flight V.League, national youth teams and, in some cases, the senior national side.

Cao Van Binh, Xuan Bac, Phi Hoang, Quoc Cuong, Le Phat, Ngoc My, Van Thuan and Quoc Viet are among those heading into the continental tournament with confidence.

The challenge for Vietnam may be managing expectations as much as overcoming Kuwait.

Vietnam had initially considered using a largely U21 squad at the Asian Games, treating the competition as part of their preparations for the 2027 SEA Games.

But the team’s success at the AFC U23 Asian Cup changed those calculations. After making an impact at continental level, Vietnam can no longer approach the Asian Games simply as an opportunity to gain experience.

Expectations among supporters and football experts have consequently risen, with the team now under pressure not only to win but also to produce performances that reflect their recent progress.

Dinh Hong Vinh has also had less preparation time with his players than at previous tournaments, potentially making it difficult for Vietnam to immediately reproduce their best football.

Conditions in Nagoya, including hot and humid weather, are another factor, although the coach does not believe they will pose a major problem.

“The weather in Nagoya is actually quite similar to current conditions in Vietnam, which is also in the rainy season,” he said. “So we don’t think it will be a major obstacle to the team’s adaptation.”

Vietnam held a tactical meeting on the morning of Sept. 14, watching footage and analyzing their Group C opponents before finalizing plans for the tournament.

The squad also selected its leadership group, with defender Pham Ly Duc named captain. Cao Van Binh, Nguyen Quoc Viet and Nguyen Thanh Nhan were appointed vice-captains.

Later that afternoon, Vietnam held their final training session before the Kuwait game and visited Nagoya City Minato Stadium, which will host Group C matches.

Teams are not permitted to train on the main competition pitch in order to protect the playing surface, so the visit allowed the players to familiarize themselves with the venue before their opening match.

Dinh Hong Vinh could adopt an attack-minded formation against Kuwait as Vietnam chase three points from the outset.

Cao Van Binh is expected to start in goal, with Le Nguyen Hoang, Dinh Quang Kiet and Pham Ly Duc forming the three-man central defense. Nguyen Phi Hoang is likely to operate on the left flank, with Pham Minh Phuc on the opposite side.

Further forward, Xuan Bac, Quoc Cuong, Van Thuan, Quoc Viet, Le Phat and Ngoc My are all among the coach’s attacking options.

Vietnam have enjoyed a successful run at U23 level over the past year, making the Asian Games their next major test. A victory over Kuwait would provide an ideal opening and strengthen their bid to reach the quarterfinals.

After facing Kuwait on Sept. 15, Vietnam meet the Philippines on Sept. 18 before completing their Group C campaign against Uzbekistan on Sept. 22.

Probable Vietnam U23 lineup: Cao Van Binh, Pham Ly Duc, Dinh Quang Kiet, Le Nguyen Hoang, Nguyen Phi Hoang, Xuan Bac, Quoc Cuong, Pham Minh Phuc, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Ngoc My, Nguyen Quoc Viet.

Dai Nam - Duy Nguyen