U23 Vietnamese players out of sync on the day V.League returns

Returning to V.League after the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, many U23 players have yet to adapt to their club environments, facing major challenges in fitness, form, and competitive resilience.

The spotlight U23 Asian Championship 2026 Still fresh from the U23 Asian Championship 2026, the V.League has brought young players back to a completely different pace—faster, more physical, and tougher. The recent round thus became a very real snapshot, with many faces of U23 Vietnam still struggling to find their “form peak” while reintegrating into their club environment.

At Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Viktor Le was given a starting spot against Becamex TP.HCM, but a lackluster first half saw him substituted right after halftime. At SLNA, goalkeeper Cao Van Binh started but couldn’t prevent a 1-3 loss to Hanoi FC. Meanwhile, Le Van Ha and Pham Dinh Hai were not even listed in the squad of the capital club, highlighting the tough competition for places despite recent boosts from the national team.

The focus at Lach Tray between Hai Phong and The Cong - Viettel also failed to produce many standout moments from the young players. Nhat Minh and Khuat Van Khang only came on in the second half, while Cong Phuong remained on the bench. The rare highlight was Van Khang’s free kick that hit the crossbar—a brief flash of brilliance but not enough to change the game.

In this picture, the HAGL – Da Nang match was a rare exception where several U23 players started. Tran Trung Kien from HAGL, along with Phi Hoang and Duc Anh from Da Nang, were trusted from the beginning. However, only Trung Kien maintained consistency, helping the Mountain Town team secure a narrow 1-0 victory.

At PVF stadium, the trio Thanh Nhan – Xuan Bac – Vo Anh Quan was brought on in the second half hoping to turn the game against CA Ho Chi Minh City, but PVF-CAND still lost 1-2. Quoc Cuong’s late entry at the 83rd minute further showed that not everyone has found the “form peak” to play decisive roles.

The brightest spot this round was Ngoc My. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes, helping Thanh Hoa draw 2-2 with Nam Dinh. Notably, Ngoc My’s cross pressured Duong Thanh Hao into an own goal, earning a valuable point.

In the big match between CAHN and Ninh Binh, all seven U23 players started on the bench. Some did not enter the field, while those who did failed to make an impact. The biggest concern was Thai Son’s injury, risking a long-term absence, a reminder that the return to V.League is not only about form but also a battle of physical condition.

In reality, after a long period of intense focus on SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals, the young players need time to recover, regain their match rhythm, and reset mentally from national team to club. V.League offers opportunities but no favors: it demands resilience, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure week after week.

For this generation, the current phase is not the end of an achievement but the beginning of a tougher test: turning the national team’s potential into lasting value at the club level.