Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh not satisfied despite U23 Vietnam reaching ASIAD 2026 quarterfinals

The final whistle at Nagoya Stadium rang out, the scoreline stopping at 0-2 in favor of Uzbekistan. But what troubled Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh was not the defeat against a stronger opponent, but the way his team left the pitch with 51 shots taken throughout the group stage and only 3 goals scored. A telling statistic about U23 Vietnam's chronic illness: creating many chances but not knowing how to finish the game. The journey to the quarterfinals of U23 Vietnam at ASIAD 2026 did not unfold perfectly. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh's squad finished the group stage with 4 points, second in Group C, having to wait for the result of the Philippines' win over Kuwait to advance. Dependence on another team's result is a warning bell, as the team did not control its own destiny. The 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan in the final group match exposed tactical gaps that Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh admitted right after the match. "We had a plan to start cautiously, but conceding in the 5th minute made everything difficult. That was a moment of lack of concentration for the whole team," Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh shared. Urinboev's early goal not only collapsed the proactive defensive plan but also forced U23 Vietnam to push forward in search of an equalizer. In that situation, the red-shirted team created several chances, even had a goal from Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn disallowed for offside. However, the lack of sharpness in finishing continued to be an unsolved problem. Looking at U23 Vietnam's statistics after three group matches, fans can see a clear picture of the team's chronic illness. 51 shots, 17 on target, only 3 goals – the chance conversion rate is only 5.9%, an alarming figure. The 33.3% on-target rate is also lower than the average of about 40% for top Asian teams. This shows that the problem lies not only in the final finish but also in the quality of chances created. Many shots come from positions with low scoring probability, reflecting a lack of composure and decisiveness in the penalty area. The biggest turning point of the match against Uzbekistan came in the 35th minute, when key midfielder Nguyễn Xuân Bắc left the pitch due to injury. This loss weakened U23 Vietnam's ability to control the match tempo. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh did not hide it: "Losing Xuân Bắc in the 35th minute affected the team's ability to hold rhythm and transition between states. From that moment, the team struggled to build up from the back and gradually became stuck." Indeed, after losing the metronome in midfield, U23 Vietnam could no longer maintain coherence in their combinations. The second goal in the 68th minute came from an individual mistake by defender Phạm Lý Đức, but in essence, it stemmed from the structural weakening after losing the key midfielder. "Our match tempo was too slow, the passes lacked creativity. The whole team needs to improve a lot to compete in the knockout stage," Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh candidly said after the match. This comment points to a reality: U23 Vietnam is still struggling with the problem of controlling the game against opponents with superior physical and technical foundations. However, the Vietnamese strategist also praised his players: "I am satisfied with the attitude and fighting spirit of the players. They fought to the end, but we need to be better in finishing." One of the most debated points around U23 Vietnam's journey is the preparation time. The team only had 3 days of collective training before entering the tournament, a managerial deficiency that Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh almost publicly acknowledged. "We only had 3 days to prepare together," – that statement serves both as an explanation for the lack of cohesion in play and as a subtle reminder of the Vietnam Football Federation's responsibility in arranging preparation schedules. In a tournament where tactical sharpening and physical conditioning play decisive roles, 3 days is too short a period to build automatic combinations or implement systematic finishing drills. Pressure is mounting on Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh as his team faces one of the top gold-medal candidates in the quarterfinals. If the match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea goes as expected, U23 Vietnam will face South Korea – a team assessed as superior with three quality overage players and significant motivation from the military service exemption policy for players winning ASIAD gold medals. This is a clear disadvantage in terms of squad strength, but also an opportunity for young Vietnamese players to test themselves against a top Asian football nation. "U23 Vietnam is in a development process, intermingled with the group preparing for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. We need to gain more experience, and playing at ASIAD is a good opportunity for young players to grow," Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh emphasized. This statement reveals a long-term strategy: ASIAD 2026 is only a stepping stone; the real goal of Vietnamese football is the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, where the team will compete for a spot at the Olympics. This approach explains why the Vietnamese coach is not overly pessimistic after the 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan – for him, the value of this tournament lies in accumulating experience for young players, rather than immediate results. However, that does not mean U23 Vietnam will enter the quarterfinal with a giving-up mentality. Looking back at the history of ASIAD and SEA Games, Vietnamese football has always known how to create shocks when underestimated. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh will likely deploy a proactive defensive formation with a dense midfield, waiting for opponent mistakes to launch lightning counterattacks. The loss of Nguyễn Xuân Bắc will be compensated by a more experienced goalkeeper, while the attack needs to significantly improve its finishing ability. The most challenging problem for Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh is scoring. 51 shots, 17 on target, 3 goals – these statistics haunt not only fans but also the coaching staff. In the AFC U23 Championship, where matches are often decided by a single flash of brilliance, such a conversion rate is unacceptable. The team needs a systematic solution: improving positioning in the box, increasing the number of players contesting aerial balls, and especially enhancing the confidence of young strikers. The return of Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường, if he recovers in time, would be an option to boost the team's attacking power. Aside from finishing, mental strength is also a concern. The 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan not only exposed tactical deficiencies but could also leave psychological scars on young players. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh understands that at this age, confidence is the most important weapon. His repeated mention of the players' "fighting spirit" and "attitude" could be a strategy to ease the pressure building in the dressing room. A bright spot in U23 Vietnam's journey at ASIAD 2026 is the ability to create chances. 51 shots in three matches shows the team is not short of attacking ideas. The problem lies in the decisiveness in the final moments. Young players often tend to shoot hastily or choose safe passing options instead of taking risks. To solve this problem, Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh needs to build a high-pressure finishing practice environment, simulating real match situations in training. However, with only 3 days of preparation before the quarterfinal, that is nearly impossible. As mentioned, ASIAD 2026 is not the final destination but only a part of the development journey of Vietnamese youth football. The real goal is the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, where the team will face the strongest opponents on the continent with a squad that has been battle-tested through multiple tournaments. Therefore, whatever the result of the quarterfinal against South Korea, Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh and his players can draw valuable lessons. What matters most is that the team must maintain progress from match to match. The biggest question ahead of the quarterfinal: What can U23 Vietnam do against an opponent that is superior in every aspect? South Korea not only has three experienced overage players but also possesses a squad of young players playing in top European leagues. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh certainly will not choose to play an open game against them. Instead, the team needs to build a solid defense, ready to sacrifice ball possession to wait for counterattack opportunities. This is not a new script but is the most feasible option for a team whose style depends on match rhythm like U23 Vietnam. Another issue Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh needs to address is transition play. In the match against Uzbekistan, when the team lost the ball in midfield, the defensive line was often stretched and exposed dangerous spaces. South Korea is a master at exploiting these spaces. Therefore, practicing fast transitions from defense to attack and vice versa is crucial. But once again, the tight schedule is the biggest barrier. Objectively speaking, U23 Vietnam reaching the ASIAD 2026 quarterfinals is a commendable achievement, especially when the team had only 3 days of preparation and had to face strong opponents in their group. But the way the team advanced – through another team's result – shows that the position of Vietnamese youth football is still quite far from the continental elite. The difference in level lies not only in individual technique but also in game management, tactical thinking, and competitive composure. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh has reasons to be dissatisfied. He sees progress in the team's play but also clearly sees the limitations and gaps that need urgent fixing. A demanding and perfectionist coach publicly expressing dissatisfaction is a positive signal. It shows the team is not complacent with current achievements and still has the ambition to go further. Of course, sports are unpredictable. A flash of individual brilliance, a mistake by the opponent's defense, a controversial referee decision – all can change the course of a match. U23 Vietnam has proven at ASIAD 2026 that they have enough courage to face any opponent. What they need most now is solid confidence and a reasonable game plan. When the quarterfinal kickoff whistle sounds, U23 Vietnam will step onto the pitch with less pressure than their opponent. Being underestimated is also an advantage. The history of ASIAD has witnessed many underestimated teams creating major upsets. No one will blame U23 Vietnam if they fall to South Korea, but if they can create a shock, the names of these young players will be talked about a lot. Perhaps, more than ever, U23 Vietnam needs calmness to reflect on themselves. Three group matches have shown what the team can and cannot do. The ASIAD 2026 quarterfinal will be the ultimate test, where all weaknesses will be exposed, and where opportunities only come to those who know how to seize them. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh's dissatisfaction is a warning, but also a great motivation. From the perspective of youth football development, U23 Vietnam facing South Korea in the ASIAD 2026 quarterfinal is a valuable opportunity. The young players will experience the feeling of playing against a top continental team, testing their level at the highest degree. Whatever the result, these experiences will be precious baggage for the upcoming 2026 AFC U23 Championship journey. For now, ahead of Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh and his players are 90 minutes (or possibly more) of the quarterfinal. With a reasonable defensive counterattacking style, fierce fighting spirit, and a bit of luck, anything can happen. Football – as we often say – never lies.