U20 Vietnam shake off sadness, determined to beat Palestine to keep hopes alive

On the afternoon of September 2, at the training ground in Ho Chi Minh City, the atmosphere of the Vietnam U20 team was unusually quiet. Just three days earlier, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's side had suffered a 0-3 defeat to U20 North Korea in the opening match of Group C of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. But as they entered the final tactical session before the match against U20 Palestine, what I observed was not despair, but a quiet determination. There are stories that don't begin with goals, but from the bench where someone first listens. In youth football, defeat is sometimes the harshest teacher. The loss to North Korea was not just a poor result, but a wake-up call for a young collective trying to find itself again. The departure of Nguyen Le Phat for undisclosed reasons has left a significant gap in the defense. The current squad only has Dinh Quang Kiet as the most experienced center-back, considered the last line of defense. Despite his poor performance against North Korea, Quang Kiet's role in this depleted squad is undeniable. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi has made important tactical adjustments over the past two days. Instead of playing openly as in the opening match, the Japanese coach may opt for a tight defensive approach, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities against Palestine. This is a reasonable choice given the squad is not at full strength, and the opponent also just lost 1-2 to Iran – a result showing they are not a vastly superior team. I once wrote something right in my own way, then learned it wrong in the world's way. Over the past days, I have watched the footage of the North Korea match many times. What I noticed was not the goals conceded, but how the young players reacted after falling behind. They seemed confused, lacking organization in transition phases – a problem stemming from a lack of international experience rather than individual ability. In the longest night, I learned to hear the breathing of the empty stands. For the U20 players, getting up after a 0-3 defeat is never easy. But what makes me believe in their ability to recover is their attitude in training. The players have had small practice matches, laughter has returned, and most importantly, they are ready to face the challenge. Palestine is not an easy opponent. They managed to score against Iran, a much stronger team. But that 1-2 defeat also showed Palestine has defensive gaps that U20 Vietnam can exploit if they know how to take their chances. The match on September 3 is expected to be a tense tactical battle, where the smallest mistake could cost the entire qualification ticket. People count goals. I collect the moments they fall and rise again. For U20 Vietnam right now, the most important thing is not tactics or technique, but spirit. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi said: "It's not over yet. We will compensate the fans with better performances." That is a powerful message, not just for the players on the pitch, but for millions of fans watching. The value of a player is not on the price tag, but in what they dare to reclaim. Dinh Quang Kiet understands this better than anyone. He is the only one left in defense with international experience. In the match against Palestine, the pressure will weigh heavily on this center-back's shoulders. But it is in the most difficult moments that the best individuals shine. Women's football in the long night – that is the phrase I once used to describe the journey of Vietnamese female players. Now, I see that image in the eyes of the U20 male players. They are in a long night, but they know dawn will come if they don't give up. The match against Palestine is not just a game, but an opportunity to prove that the defeat to North Korea was just an accident, not the nature of this team. I don't stand in the middle of the pitch. I stand where the imagination begins. And what I imagine about U20 Vietnam before this crucial match is a collective that knows how to defend solidly, wait for opportunities, and maximize the rare chances. Palestine is not North Korea. They may defend deep, but they also have weaknesses that can be exploited if U20 Vietnam is patient enough. Doubt was once my companion. Now it is a shadow I have learned to draw. I once doubted the team's ability to recover after a heavy defeat. But through training sessions, through conversations with the young players, I realized they have an inner strength that is not always visible. It is the resilience of youth, the desire to prove one's worth. The match against Palestine will be the real test of U20 Vietnam's character. If they win, the door to the next round will open wide. If they lose, the U20 Asian Cup dream will vanish. But whatever the result, what I believe is that these young players will fight with all their might for the national colors, for national pride, and for their own future. In football, as in life, nothing is certain. But one thing I know for sure: U20 Vietnam will enter the match against Palestine with everything they have. And that is the only thing fans can ask for. Let's cheer for them, because they deserve to be heard.