U23 Vietnam says goodbye to key player ahead of Asiad 2026

Just days before departing for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, U23 Vietnam received unfortunate news: midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong (born 2026) failed to recover from a muscle injury and thigh edema, forcing his withdrawal from the squad. This is a major setback, as Cong Phuong is one of the 14 most experienced players in the U23 age group, despite being only 20 years old. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh and the coaching staff must urgently find a replacement with extremely limited preparation time. According to information from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Cong Phuong's injury was detected during the final training session before the official squad announcement. Team doctors confirmed that the midfielder cannot reach match fitness for at least ten days, meaning he will definitely miss the opening match against U23 Kuwait on September 15. Cong Phuong's absence not only affects squad depth but also weakens midfield control, a key strength of U23 Vietnam in recent tournaments. To fill the gap, the VFF and coaching staff decided to call up midfielder Hoang Quang Dung from Hue Club. Quang Dung, born in 2026, was previously on the reserve list for the Asiad since late July but has had little time to train with the first team. Notably, this is an emergency replacement as Quang Dung plays in a lower division, highlighting the thin squad depth of U23 Vietnam. Many experts question the young player's ability to adapt to the high-pressure environment of the Asiad. However, a more serious issue lies in the goalkeeper position. VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu confirmed: "Hanoi Club has not yet agreed to release goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai. We are negotiating, but replacing a goalkeeper is not simple because we need official injury confirmation from the organizing committee." If no agreement is reached, U23 Vietnam will have only two goalkeepers for the entire tournament—a huge risk in the most sensitive position. Vice President Tu admitted that the replacement process is complex, involving medical documentation and approval from the Asiad organizing committee. Furthermore, defender Dang Tuan Phong, a key figure in the backline, can only join the team on the first match day (September 15) due to travel arrangements from his club. This leaves the coaching staff almost no time to organize the defensive system. With the goalkeeper situation uncertain and the defense lacking stability, U23 Vietnam faces a serious tactical imbalance. The preparation schedule is also a major challenge. According to the plan, the team gathers on September 12, departs for Japan on September 13, and plays the first match against U23 Kuwait on September 15. Thus, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh has only four days to finalize tactics, build chemistry, and establish team cohesion. This is an extremely short period, especially when facing a West Asian team with superior physique and strength. Pressure mounts when looking at recent achievements: U23 Vietnam won the 2026 AFF U23 Championship, gold at the 33rd SEA Games, and third place at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship. Expectations from fans and experts are high, but preparation has been severely impacted by objective obstacles. "We understand the pressure, but we will focus on what we can control," Coach Dinh Hong Vinh briefly shared. Tactically, with limited time, U23 Vietnam can hardly implement a high-pressing system or complex possession-based play. Most likely, the team will adopt a defensive counter-attacking style, relying heavily on set pieces. This is the most practical choice to optimize the time available, but it also means sacrificing the attacking identity built over time. Analysts suggest that Cong Phuong's absence reduces midfield circulation, forcing forwards to be more self-reliant. Conversely, some believe the difficulties may create opportunities for other young players to shine. Hoang Quang Dung could seize the chance to prove himself, while players like Nguyen Van Truong or Khue Van Khang may take on bigger roles. However, the risk from defensive and flank instability is real, especially against a Kuwait side with fast, physical players. Beyond the professional aspect, the tension between VFF and Hanoi Club over the goalkeeper case raises questions about inter-club relations. This is not the first time clubs have hesitated to release players for youth tournaments outside the FIFA window. Without strong binding mechanisms, similar crises may recur, affecting the sustainable development of Vietnamese youth football. Overall, U23 Vietnam enters the 2026 Asiad as a team with a rich recent history but facing an emergency in personnel and time. The Asiad will be a true test of resilience and adaptability for Coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his players. Can they overcome adversity to maintain their status as Southeast Asia's top team? The answer will come after the match against Kuwait on September 15.