2026 AFC U23 Championship: U23 Vietnam 'Deciphers' Their Opponents

29/12/2025 13:59:00 soccer

Against U23 Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team is confident in overcoming them to secure a quarterfinal spot and pursue further goals at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

The draw placed Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team in Group A with hosts U23 Saudi Arabia, U23 Kyrgyzstan, and U23 Jordan. These opponents come from West and Central Asia, regions with advanced football cultures in the continent.

For their early 2026 campaign, U23 Vietnam will carry not only the "SEA Games 33 spirit" but also a stronger determination and greater effort, as the group stage is recognized to be quite challenging.

Theoretically, among the teams in Group A, U23 Vietnam ranks just behind the hosts U23 Saudi Arabia, who won the AFC U23 Championship in 2022. Besides the home advantage, U23 Saudi Arabia is highly rated for having one of Asia’s top-quality squads.

Coach Luigi Di Biagio places high hopes on outstanding young players who made a strong impression at the 2025 AFC U20 Championship, such as goalkeeper Hamed Youssef, defender Mohammed Barnawi, winger Abdulaziz Aliewa, and striker Talal Haji.

Moreover, friendly matches have helped Coach Luigi Di Biagio’s players develop better teamwork and understanding. With their strong squad and home advantage, U23 Saudi Arabia is favored to secure a quarterfinal berth as Group A leaders. The remaining spot will be fiercely contested among U23 Vietnam, U23 Jordan, and U23 Kyrgyzstan.

U23 Vietnam’s first match will be against U23 Jordan, a familiar name at the AFC finals with seven appearances. While U23 Vietnam won all three qualifying matches, U23 Jordan also showed impressive form by winning all three games against U23 Turkmenistan, U23 Chinese Taipei, and U23 Bhutan, scoring 19 goals and conceding only one.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team aims to reach at least the quarterfinals at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Photo: Minh Dan

The U23 Jordan squad features two key players: forwards Odeh Fakhoury and Ibrahim Sabra, who scored 4 and 3 goals respectively in the qualifiers. Fakhoury, 20, plays for Al Hussein Club and was part of Jordan’s national team that finished as runners-up at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. Coach Omar Najhi’s team is determined to erase the disappointment of failing to advance past the group stage at the 2024 AFC U23 Championship in Qatar.

U23 Jordan’s best achievement was third place at the 2013 AFC U23 Championship. Although they were eliminated in the group stages in the last two editions, this has motivated them to prepare thoroughly for a deeper run this time. Experts view U23 Vietnam’s opening match against U23 Jordan as a crucial step toward reaching the quarterfinals under Coach Kim Sang Sik.

In Group A, U23 Kyrgyzstan is considered a wildcard that could cause surprises despite this being their first appearance at the AFC U23 Championship. They qualified by winning 2-1 against U23 Palestine, drawing 2-2 with U23 Uzbekistan, and defeating U23 Sri Lanka 6-0 to top Group E.

Khuat Van Khang is participating in his third AFC U23 Championship and shares special thoughts about U23 Vietnam.

U23 Kyrgyzstan assembled in mid-December and departed for a training camp in the UAE on December 20. Notable players include midfielder Kimi Merk, developed at Germany’s prestigious Kaiserslautern academy, and main striker Marlen Murzakhmatov.

Reviewing preparations, U23 Vietnam has had a relatively longer buildup than U23 Jordan and U23 Kyrgyzstan, participating in the Southeast Asian U23 Championship, two CFA Team China Panda Cup friendlies (against strong teams like China, South Korea, Uzbekistan), and SEA Games 33.

However, these were regional or friendly competitions. To advance further in a tournament that every Asian football nation aspires to excel in, U23 Vietnam must multiply their confidence and efforts.

With growing confidence, rising enthusiasm, and a versatile playing style, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team is set to create new milestones for Vietnamese football.

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