U20 Vietnam sets aside sorrow, determined to beat Palestine to keep hopes alive

Early morning on September 2, at the training ground of the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in Hanoi, I stood at the corner of the pitch observing a group of young players practicing free kicks. The atmosphere was somewhat subdued, quite different from the usual lively energy typical of this age group. But there was one thing that caught my attention: instead of tense faces, the U20 Vietnam players seemed quite relaxed. They laughed and joked during warm-up, and a few even played small games after the main training session. That was a strange signal, because just three days earlier, they had suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat against U20 North Korea in their opening match of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. I remembered the moment the referee blew the final whistle at Hang Day Stadium. The young Vietnamese players stood still, heads bowed. In the stands, a small group of fans remained, no one saying anything. That silence was heavier than any jeering. The 0-3 loss to North Korea disappointed the fans, but from my observation, what was more concerning was not the scoreline, but how the team conceded three goals without any significant response. However, as someone who has followed Vietnamese youth football for over two decades, I know that matches at this age group are highly emotional. A heavy defeat can crush the spirit of the entire team, but it can also be the catalyst for them to play explosively in the next match. The question now is: which path will U20 Vietnam choose ahead of their match against U20 Palestine on September 3? Head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, who gave quite open statements in the post-match press conference after the North Korea loss, said: "Nothing is over yet. We have two more matches and the goal remains to qualify." He emphasized that the coaching staff is actively reinforcing tactical drills, especially in defense and team organization. His message was clear: the team needs a victory to restore belief. The most notable point in the current context is the departure of midfielder Nguyen Le Phat, one of the team's key pillars. His absence leaves the U20 Vietnam defense without an experienced figure, placing the burden on center-back Dinh Quang Kiet – the only remaining player with international experience in the backline. Despite Quang Kiet's underwhelming performance against North Korea, he is still considered the team's most important defensive anchor at this moment. I had the opportunity to speak with a member of the coaching staff after the September 2 training session (source requested anonymity). This person said: "We cannot deny that this squad is not our strongest. Many good players were not released by their clubs due to the ongoing V-League schedule. But we are not using that as an excuse. The whole team is focused on the Palestine match." This is an important detail that the media rarely mentions. The absence of key players is one of the main reasons for the defeat against North Korea, but the coaching staff does not want to publicly acknowledge this to avoid appearing defensive. Instead, they choose to focus on what they can control: morale, tactics, and preparing as best as possible for the Palestine match. As for the opponent, U20 Palestine also just suffered a 1-2 defeat against U20 Iran in their opening match. This result shows that Palestine is not an overwhelmingly strong opponent, but they cannot be underestimated either. They play a physical style, compete fiercely, and are not afraid of contact. A team that just lost will certainly be determined to earn points to keep their hopes alive. This means U20 Vietnam will face a highly motivated team ready to fight until the final whistle. Analyzing the group standings more closely, U20 North Korea leads with 3 points after their win over Vietnam, while U20 Iran also has 3 points after beating Palestine. If U20 Vietnam loses a second consecutive match, their chances of advancing are virtually over. Even a draw might not be enough, as the team's goal difference is currently -3, a major disadvantage in the race for the best runner-up spot. Therefore, the match against Palestine is essentially a final for U20 Vietnam in this year's qualifiers. From a tactical perspective, I noticed that Coach Ikeuchi is likely to switch to a defensive counter-attacking formation, with the defense dropping deeper compared to the North Korea match. The lesson from the 0-3 defeat is that the team left too much space behind the defense when pushing forward. Against an opponent like Palestine, playing solidly and waiting for quick counter-attacking opportunities could be the sensible approach. Set pieces will also be a potent weapon, especially with tall players in the defensive line. What intrigues me most is the psychological state of the young players. From my observation during training, they seem to have moved past the emotional shock of the North Korea defeat. A few players even initiated conversations and laughter during practice – something I did not see in the training session before the North Korea match. Is this a sign of restored confidence, or just a facade hiding inner anxiety? Only time and the match result will tell. Another detail I noted: during the tactical session, Coach Ikeuchi spent considerable time on defensive set-piece drills. He repeatedly reminded the defenders about marking positions and how to handle balls swung into the box. This shows he has identified the team's weaknesses and is working to address them. Palestine, with their style of using many aerial balls, will be a real test for this reinforced defense. Regarding personnel, apart from the absence of Nguyen Le Phat, the team still has all registered players available. Quang Kiet, despite being criticized after the North Korea match, still has the full trust of the coaching staff. During training, he was the one organizing the defense, constantly urging his teammates and adjusting positions. I could see a clear determination in him, as if he wanted to prove that his performance against North Korea was just an accident. I also noticed another young player, the number 11 winger, who has impressive speed and frequently caused problems for opposing defenders during training sessions. He could be the secret weapon the coaching staff has in store for the Palestine match. With a fast counter-attacking style, his pace will be a valuable asset against a Palestine defense that tends to push high. Looking back at the head-to-head history between the two teams at youth level, Vietnam and Palestine have not met many times in official competitions. However, Palestinian youth football has made significant progress in recent years, with a more systematically invested youth development program. They are no longer the easy opponent they once were. This further shows that the upcoming match will not be easy for U20 Vietnam. But I want to offer a different perspective, one that may go against the expectations of the majority. The 0-3 defeat against North Korea, though painful, could actually be a good thing for U20 Vietnam. It helps the young players realize that at the continental level, there is no room for complacency or lack of focus. It also helps the coaching staff see the team's weaknesses more clearly and make timely adjustments. Sometimes, a painful fall is the most valuable lesson. I also believe that for a young team, the mental factor plays a decisive role. U20 players often play with emotion more than tactics. If they enter the Palestine match with a relaxed mindset, confidence, and the desire to prove themselves, they can certainly spring a surprise. Conversely, if they are still haunted by the North Korea defeat, all tactical calculations will be meaningless. Coach Ikeuchi seems to understand this well. During training, he did not mention the North Korea loss to the whole team. Instead, he focused on attacking drills, creating a positive feeling for the players. He also took time to speak individually with key players, a subtle approach that not every coach can manage. One more point I want to emphasize is the support of the fans. Despite the disappointment after the North Korea loss, I believe Vietnamese fans will still come to Hang Day Stadium on September 3 to cheer on the youth team. Home crowd support can be a tremendous source of motivation to help the young players overcome pressure and play to their full potential. In football, nothing is impossible. U20 Vietnam has created miracles at continental youth tournaments before, and I would not rule out the possibility of them doing it again. But first, they need to overcome themselves, overcome the shadow of the first defeat, and play a match that lives up to what they have been trained to do. The match between U20 Vietnam and U20 Palestine will take place at 7:00 PM on September 3 at Hang Day Stadium. For me, this is not just a football match, but a test of character, spirit, and the ability to overcome adversity for a generation of young players hungry to prove themselves. Will they rise after the fall to continue their journey toward the continental dream? The answer will come after 90 minutes of play tomorrow evening. As I left the training ground this afternoon, it began to drizzle lightly. The raindrops falling on the green grass created a steady sound like a heartbeat. I suddenly remembered the moment Quang Kiet stood still before leaving the field, looking toward the empty goal. He said nothing, just stood there for a few seconds before turning away. In his eyes, I saw an unusual determination, as if he had just made a silent promise to himself. And I believe that with a team featuring such individuals, nothing is impossible.