Coach Dinh Hong Vinh: Vietnam Could Have Done Better Despite Reaching ASIAD 2026 Quarterfinals

On September 22, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Vietnam U23 suffered a 0-2 defeat to Uzbekistan U23 in the final Group C match of ASIAD 2026. The result did not prevent coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team from advancing to the quarter-finals, but the Vietnamese coach did not hide his regret. He said the team could have achieved a better result if they had converted their chances. Vietnam conceded in the 5th minute through Mohammadali Urinboev's strike. The early goal forced coach Vinh's side to push forward. They created several clear opportunities. Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong and Nguyen Ngoc My both had shots blocked or off target. Nguyen Thanh Nhan put the ball into the net once, but the goal was ruled out for offside. After the match, coach Dinh Hong Vinh explained his intention to be cautious against a strong opponent. However, when Uzbekistan raised the tempo, a moment of lapses in concentration led to the conceded goal. He said: “If the early chances in the first half had become goals, the match situation might have been different.” His words reflected great regret, as Vietnam did not lack opportunities but lacked sharpness in decisive moments. The clearest tactical setback came when central midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac left the match in the 35th minute due to injury. He was the tempo-setter who helped the team transition from defense to attack. After he left, Vietnam could not maintain pressure and gradually became stagnant. In the 68th minute, Ibraimov dribbled past Pham Ly Duc and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Cao Van Binh. The second goal ended Vietnam's hopes of a comeback. Despite the defeat, Vietnam advanced because the Philippines beat Kuwait 2-1 in a simultaneous match. Uzbekistan topped Group C with 5 points, Vietnam finished second with 4 points, while the Philippines had 3 points. The group-stage objective was achieved, but the way the team reached the last eight left many lessons to be learned. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh was satisfied with the players' attitude and fighting spirit over three group games. However, he pointed out the biggest issue: chance conversion. Statistics showed Vietnam attempted 51 shots but only 17 were on target, scoring just three goals. That efficiency reflected what happened on the pitch: the team often dominated but lacked luck and precision in the final shot. Vinh also said the team was still slow in rhythm, their attacking was not efficient, and they did not exploit the final third well. One reason was that the squad had only three days of preparation before the tournament. The cohesion in playing style was not established, while the group of players who had taken part in the U23 Asian Cup finals had little time to gel with new faces. He believed the newcomers would gain valuable experience when playing alongside more experienced teammates. In the quarter-finals, Vietnam will wait for the result of South Korea versus Saudi Arabia in Group D. South Korea needs only a draw to guarantee top spot and would then face Vietnam. This opponent is considered a gold-medal favorite, with a strong squad including three quality over-age players. Beyond football, they also have great motivation because an ASIAD gold medal grants players an exemption from mandatory military service under South Korean law. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh confirmed the team would prepare mentally for any opponent. The immediate task is recovery and monitoring injuries to Xuan Bac and Quoc Cuong before deciding on replacements. Knowing the opponent earlier will help the coaching staff, but no matter who they face, Vietnam must improve their finishing and game tempo to go further. In the context of ASIAD 2026 being held right after the U23 Asian Cup, coach Vinh faced huge selection challenges. He had to combine players who had competed at a high continental level with new faces who lacked international experience. That explains the lack of cohesion. But in a knockout tournament, there is no room for slow starts. Without taking chances, Vietnam will pay the price against teams like Uzbekistan or South Korea. The quarter-final is scheduled for September 25 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya. This is where Vietnam just played in the group stage, so the team is familiar with the pitch. However, the decisive factors remain personnel and mentality. Coach Vinh and his players understand that the chance to reach the semi-finals is significant if they can fix the weaknesses they have shown. The fans have the right to hope, because in this tournament Vietnam have already demonstrated resilience even when under pressure. Vietnam is heading to Nagoya with great determination.