Japanese football is getting closer to young Vietnamese players

Season 2 of the "Japanese Football Dream" project was launched through a series of Vietnam-Japan football exchange events, marking the debut of the Tokushima Vortis U14 squad (J-League) in Vietnam, where they participated in exhibition games and coaching activities.

The program, themed "Chasing Dreams, Advancing to Japan," aims to provide young Vietnamese players with exposure to a professional football environment while selecting the two most outstanding talents to go toJapanfor training in early 2027.

A special feature of this season is that Tokushima Vortis sent a full delegation to Vietnam for the first time, including club executives, the Chairman, coaching staff, and U14 players.

This is also the club that will directly host the two winners of the program for training in the coming period.

The presence of the J-League representative allows young Vietnamese players not only to compete against quality opponents but also to directly observe the playing style, tactical thinking, and training methods ofJapanese football. Through this, they gain a more realistic understanding of the professional football environment they will aim for if they succeed in the project.

The friendly matches took place over three days, July 23, 24, and 25, at Hoa Lu Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City), featuring four U14 teams: Tokushima Vortis and three Vietnamese representatives—Thong Nhat Sports Center, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho.

The young Vietnamese teams showed a determined spirit, actively deploying an attacking style, while U14 Tokushima Vortis demonstrated the ball possession, tactical organization, and discipline characteristic of Japanese football.

These matches not only provided exciting contests but also helped young players accumulate valuable professional lessons.

Mr. Takefumi Otani, Technical Director of Tokushima Vortis, shared: "We are very happy to have the opportunity to come to Vietnam for the first time and meet young players as part of the Japanese Football Dream Project.

The Pocari Sweat Dream Project is not just a player selection program but also a bridge between Vietnamese and Japanese youth football. We hope these matches and exchange activities will help you better understand the professional football environment in Japan, while also motivating you to pursue your dreams.

We are also looking forward to welcoming the two outstanding faces of this season to train at Tokushima Vortis in early 2027."

Serving as a professional advisor alongside the program,Coach Dinh Hong Vinhhighly praised the significance of the exchange: "The most valuable thing the players gain is not just an international match, but the opportunity to directly experience Japanese football standards.

When they witness firsthand how a youth club operates—from tactical thinking, decision-making speed, to on-field discipline—they will better understand what they need to prepare to get closer to becoming the two champions of Dream Project season 2."

Representatives of the three young Vietnamese teams also agreed that this is a precious opportunity for young players to compete against a J-League club. "This is a great international experience that helps our players clearly see football standards, thereby motivating them to upgrade their own playing mindset."

Currently, the Japanese Football Dream Season 2 is accepting online applications for boys born between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. The preliminary round is expected to take place on August 22 and 23, before outstanding candidates compete in the final round on August 30 to secure two spots for an intensive training program in Japan with Tokushima Vortis in early 2027.