Vietnam U19 vs Myanmar U19: Vietnam U19 relies on more than just Cong Hau (4:00 PM on June 4, live on TV360)

Winning 3-0 against Timor Leste U19 helped Vietnam U19 begin the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship on a positive note. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his squad face a big chance to reach the semifinals; however, realizing this goal requires contributions beyond just Hoang Cong Hau's standout performance.

Vietnam U19 enjoyed a relatively smooth opening match at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship. Hoang Cong Hau's three goals secured a 3-0 victory over Timor Leste U19, temporarily placing coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's team level on points with group leaders and hosts Indonesia U19.

That result has given the young Vietnamese players significant confidence ahead of the tough road ahead. Yet, looking deeper into the match, this win was not enough to erase doubts about Vietnam U19's competitiveness in what is considered the tournament's most challenging group.

The match against Myanmar U19 carries special importance. A victory would not only help Vietnam U19 maintain or stay close to the top spot alongside Indonesia U19 but also open the door wide to the semifinals before the crucial "group final" against the host nation in the last round.

There are reasons to believe Vietnam U19 can secure all three points. In the last five meetings at the U19 level, the young Vietnamese have remained unbeaten against Myanmar, with four wins and one draw. Considering youth development quality and international experience, Vietnam U19 is still rated slightly higher than their opponents.

In their opening match, Myanmar U19 also showed many weaknesses, losing 0-3 to Indonesia U19. Although they started well and applied considerable pressure in the first half, the young Myanmar team quickly lost control after conceding the first goal. Their defense repeatedly made positional errors, was ineffective in counter-attack situations, and often lost focus at key moments.

These are weaknesses that Vietnam U19 can fully exploit. The possession-based, short-passing, and flank-attacking style of the Japanese coach's team is expected to create plenty of space against Myanmar's still shaky defense. If they maintain their rhythm and control like they did against Timor Leste U19, Vietnam U19 has the capability to dominate the match.

However, what may trouble Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi is not the opponent but his own team. Hoang Cong Hau had an outstanding game with a hat-trick in the opener. Yet paradoxically, he also missed nearly as many clear-cut chances as the goals he scored. This reflects the reality that Vietnam U19's finishing ability is still not truly efficient.

More importantly, all three goals came from a single player. This is both a positive sign and a warning. Positive because Vietnam U19 possesses a striker who can make a difference. But worrying because the team is overly dependent on one individual's inspiration.

Myanmar U19 have certainly studied Cong Hau's performance thoroughly. This striker will receive special attention from the opposing defenders. Therefore, the upcoming match is an opportunity for players like Duc Vu, Quoc Hoa, Duy Khang, Van Khanh, Tan Minh, and others to prove their worth.

To go far in this year's tournament, Vietnam U19 cannot rely solely on a single "hero." A strong team must have multiple scoring options and several players capable of creating breakthroughs at crucial moments.

A commendable point under Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi is that the players persistently execute their game plan and maintain pressure until the final minutes. The two late goals against Timor Leste U19 are a clear testament to that patience.

However, when facing better-organized opponents like Myanmar U19 or Indonesia U19, patience alone is not enough. Vietnam U19 needs greater precision in final passes and sharper finishing.

The opportunity is very close for Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his team. A win against Myanmar U19 would take Vietnam U19 a big step closer to the semifinals while also creating a psychological advantage ahead of the decisive clash with Indonesia.