The top leader of VFF openly stated the major goal of Vietnam U19 after the Southeast Asian tournament

VFF Vice Chairman Tran Anh Tu emphasized that the Vietnam U19 team considers the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 tournament a vital preparation stage for the 2027 Asian U20 qualifying round.

Vietnam U19 enters the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship with high expectations, being placed in the same group as hosts Indonesia, Myanmar, and Timor Leste. According to VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu, this is by no means an easy group, as Indonesia are the defending champions and possess many quality players who have participated in the U17 World Cup and received training abroad. Nevertheless, Vietnam’s football representatives are determined to showcase their abilities and gain experience for more ambitious goals in the future.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mr. Tran Anh Tu stated that the most important factor at the youth level is not just the results but also the players' growth through each match. He stressed: "It can be said that this is a highly competitive group. Indonesia are the defending champions, with many quality players who have played in the U17 World Cup as well as those training and competing abroad, and they also have the advantage of playing on home soil." Despite acknowledging the strength of their opponents, the VFF leadership remains confident in the team's preparation process.

In preparation for this tournament, Vietnam U19 had nearly a month of training and was especially given the opportunity to go to Japan for a training camp. This is seen as an important preparatory step to help young players adapt to high-intensity competition environments while improving their adaptability and tactical thinking. High-quality friendly matches also allowed the coaching staff to assess the squad and finalize the core lineup before entering the regional competition.

However, Vietnam U19’s preparation was not entirely smooth. Many players still had to serve their domestic clubs, while others had to balance academics and competition. Despite this, the VFF coordinated with relevant parties to provide maximum support for the team. Mr. Tran Anh Tu affirmed that even without an ideal squad, the current players are all quality individuals ready to give their all for the national colors.

According to the VFF leadership, The 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship is not merely a short-term goal but also a stepping stone for the long road ahead. He shared: "The ASEAN U19 Championship is one step in the roadmap toward the 2027 AFC U20 Qualifiers and further to the U23 team and the national team." Therefore, in addition to competitive results, building a cohesive team with a distinct identity, competitiveness, and the development of young players remains the top priority for Vietnamese football.

Following the success of Vietnam U17 in securing a spot at the U17 World Cup, the VFF hopes that Vietnam U19 will continue to maintain a spirit of ambition and create new positive signals. Right after the tournament in Indonesia, the team is expected to regroup and have another training camp in Japan to prepare for the 2027 AFC U20 qualifiers. With a well-structured roadmap and long-term investment, Vietnam U19 is expected to become a crucial reserve force for the country’s football in the coming years.