Coach Dinh Hong Vinh not satisfied despite reaching ASIAD 2026 quarter-finals

Conceding in the 5th minute put Vietnam's U23 team in a difficult position in their final group-stage match at the 2026 Asian Games against Uzbekistan at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Mohammadali Urinboev broke through and finished across goal, beating goalkeeper Cao Van Binh. It was an early shock, but coach Dinh Hong Vinh's players did not collapse. After conceding, Vietnam gradually regained confidence. They controlled the ball better and launched varied attacks. Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong had a dangerous shot blocked by a Uzbekistan defender. Nguyen Ngoc My narrowly missed the target. The most regrettable moment came when Nguyen Thanh Nhan put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. If any of those chances had been converted, the outcome could have been different. In the 35th minute, central midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac left the pitch with an injury. Bac was a key tempo-setter in coach Vinh's tactical setup. Without him, Vietnam lost midfield control and the ability to transition quickly. The attacking pressure faded, and Uzbekistan stayed compact. In the 68th minute, Ibraimov dribbled past Pham Ly Duc and fired a powerful shot inside the box to make it 2-0. The second goal effectively decided the match. Despite losing 0-2, Vietnam advanced to the quarter-finals because the Philippines beat Kuwait 2-1 in a simultaneous match. With 4 points, Vietnam finished second in Group C, five points behind Uzbekistan and one ahead of the Philippines. The qualification came from their own efforts plus a favorable result elsewhere. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh had reasons to be dissatisfied. After three group games, Vietnam had 51 shots, but only 17 on target and scored three goals. Low conversion and poor chance finishing worried him. He said: 'We are still slow. The attack has not been effective, and we have not exploited the final third well.' That is a tactical issue to fix before the knockout stage. Another factor behind Vietnam's disjointed play was the short preparation time. Before the Asian Games, the team had only three days together, while the squad combined players from the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup with new faces. Cohesion takes time, but the tournament does not allow it. In the quarter-finals, Vietnam will face the winners of Group D. South Korea have a big advantage in the race for the top spot, needing only a draw against Saudi Arabia. If that happens, coach Vinh's side will meet a title favorite. South Korea have three quality overage players, adding strength and experience. They also have extra motivation: winning the gold medal will grant military service exemptions under Korean law. That is why they always play with full commitment at this tournament. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh said the team will prepare mentally for any opponent and focus on recovery. He will also closely monitor the injuries of Nguyen Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong to decide replacements. The quarter-final is scheduled for 19:00 on September 25 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya. From a data perspective, managing only 17 shots on target out of 51 raises questions about chance quality and the forwards' positioning. Without improvement, Vietnam will struggle to break down a solid defense like South Korea's. On the bright side, the fighting spirit and growth of the young players are positive signs. Youth football always has surprises, and coach Vinh's team has the right to dream big. The key is to release pressure and make the most of every chance. In the knockout round, a single moment can decide the entire match.