U20 Vietnam: Shake off the sadness, determined to beat Palestine – A tactical and morale puzzle

One early September afternoon, on the training pitch of the U20 Vietnam team, the atmosphere was not as heavy as I had imagined. After the 0-3 loss to North Korea, many expected a mental crisis. But what I saw were laughter, soft touches on the ball, and an unusual focus. It was not the carefree nature of youth, but a signal that they had chosen to face the pain with action, not words. And that is what intrigued me, a man who has been through many seasons.

The loss to North Korea was not just a shock in terms of the scoreline. It exposed the gaps that this young team is trying to fill. Nguyen Le Phat, the most experienced defender, had to leave the squad for undisclosed reasons. His departure left a huge hole in the defense, and Dinh Quang Kiet became the only anchor. But football is not a one-man game. Palestine, the next opponent, also suffered a 1-2 defeat against Iran. They are not an overwhelming force, but neither are they an easy target.

I look at the group: North Korea showed overwhelming strength, Iran has better technical foundations. U20 Vietnam and Palestine are in the same boat: lost the first match, must win to keep hope alive. But what makes the difference is not the history of confrontations, but how each team handles the pressure. And here, I see a grounded optimism from the U20 Vietnam side.

Not just morale, but tactics

Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi has made clear adjustments in training sessions. He is not just talking about 'forgetting the loss', but also demanding the players focus on set-pieces and defensive organization from deep. In youth football, such small details are often overlooked because the players lack experience. But I believe that if U20 Vietnam maintains tactical discipline, they can completely neutralize Palestine's physical style of play.

Palestine is not a technical team. They rely on strength and long balls. This could become a double-edged sword if U20 Vietnam knows how to stretch the opponent's formation and exploit the speed of their wingers. I have followed many matches of this age group, and one thing I have realized is: there is no bigger gap than the one between a good plan and undisciplined execution.

Contrarian view: Weakness can be strength

Many think that the absence of Nguyen Le Phat is a major disadvantage. But I see it differently. His departure forces other young players to mature faster. Dinh Quang Kiet, despite being criticized after the loss, remains a true leader. He knows how to read the game and adjust the defense. The question is whether those around him have enough trust to follow.

I also disagree with the view that Palestine is a weaker opponent. They lost to Iran, but Iran is one of the top youth football nations in Asia. A 1-2 defeat shows that Palestine can score and organize their defense to some extent. If U20 Vietnam becomes complacent, they will pay the price.

Takeaway: A match of honor and survival

The match against Palestine is not just a qualifier. It is a chance for U20 Vietnam to prove that they can rise after a fall. It is a test of the mettle of a generation of players standing at the threshold of professional careers. And it is also the answer to the question I have posed from the beginning: whether Vietnam's youth football can compete at the continental level or not.

I am not one to make bold predictions. But I believe that if U20 Vietnam maintains focus and tactical discipline, they will win. And that will be a crucial turning point, not just for this tournament, but for the future of the men wearing the red jersey with the yellow star.