Thai football fans admire Vietnam's decision to finalize the U21 squad for ASIAD

The VFF's choice to send the U21 team to ASIAD 2026 has stirred Thai fans, with many acknowledging Vietnam's long-term vision and football superiority in the region.

Recently, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially announced it will select the Vietnam U21 squad to compete in the men's football event at ASIAD 2026. Although the tournament allows players up to U23, Vietnamese football places its trust in the younger generation, aiming for a sustainable development strategy.

This decision quickly attracted attention and sparked debates among regional fans, especially in Thailand. On social media, many Thai fans expressed surprise and even respect for Vietnam’s football foresight, while reflecting on the current state of Thai football.

Fan Nuttachoke Preamtanarux bluntly commented: “Look at the Thai Football Federation, there’s no clear plan. They’re still struggling to call players for the U23 Asian Championship. Aren’t they ashamed?”

Meanwhile, fan Surasit Rojrungsarid acknowledged the opponent's superiority: “At this moment, Vietnam is stronger than Thailand at every national team level.”

Another fan, Chantima Gawbanasiri, focused on vision and football management: “Vision is crucial for development. If you only focus on short-term fixes, even talented players won’t fully perform in tournaments, and ultimately the coach ends up facing criticism whenever the team loses.”

From a professional perspective, alongside the success of the U23 team, Vietnam’s U21 squad currently features promising players like goalkeeper Nguyễn Tân, Cao Văn Bình, midfielders Lê Văn Thuận, Nguyễn Công Phương, and striker Nguyễn Lê Phát. Additionally, this lineup can be strengthened with young talents from U19, U20, and even U17 squads.

The VFF’s choice to send the U21 team to ASIAD, instead of the Olympic U23 model with overage players as in 2018, shows that Vietnamese football does not prioritize immediate results. Instead, the Federation aims for thorough, long-term preparation, viewing ASIAD as a critical stepping stone towards the goal of SEA Games 34 which will take place in two years.