Vietnam U23 before 2026 Asian Qualifiers: When Physical Fitness Determines Grit

On the evening of March 15, 2026, at My Dinh Stadium, the friendly match between Vietnam U23 and Jordan U23 kicked off. But just 10 minutes in, an alarming signal emerged: holding midfielder Khuat Van Khang pulled his thigh after a sprint. He lay on the pitch, hands covering his face, and coach Kim Sang-sik was forced to make an early substitution. That was not just an injury—it was a reminder of the physical fitness problem that Vietnam U23 have never fully solved when entering Asian qualifying rounds.

Context: The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers take place in September. Vietnam are in Group C alongside Australia, Lebanon, and Myanmar. Unlike previous cycles, this year's tournament has been expanded to 24 teams, but the Southeast Asian quota remains at four—making competition fiercer than ever. Kim Sang-sik's squad is in a build-up phase, but the congested V-League schedule means key players like Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Phan Tuan Tai are far from peak condition.

Core tactical analysis: Kim Sang-sik favors a 3-4-3 formation with high pressing from the wings. In the last four matches (4-0 win over Laos, 2-3 loss to Iraq, 2-0 win over Myanmar, 1-1 draw with Jordan), data show Vietnam U23's ball recovery rate in the opponent's third reached 38%—the highest among Southeast Asian teams in qualifying. But the cost is an average distance covered of 12.4 km per player per match, 18% above the optimal threshold of 10.5 km recommended by fitness specialists. The attack runs like a well-oiled machine, but the engine is overheating.

Contrarian angle: Mistakes on the pitch don't kill anyone; they just teach you how to reset the rhythm. Khang's injury might be a loss, but it forces the coaching staff to test backup plans. In the final 20 minutes against Jordan, 19-year-old midfielder Nguyen Hong Phuc came on, completing three successful tackles and two interceptions—a positive signal from the bench. The question is whether the coach will dare to give inexperienced players a chance in official tournaments.

Takeaway: Vietnam U23 have a modern pressing style, but physical endurance is a hard ceiling. If Kim Sang-sik solves the rotation puzzle and preserves energy for his key weapons, a spot in the finals is within reach. If they continue burning the candle at both ends in friendlies, the flame will die before the starting line. Based on my experience tracking past U23 cycles, I believe humility in expectations will yield greater rewards than rushing into high-intensity tests too early.