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Vietnam U20 AFC Asian Cup qualification

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2026-09-08 08:04 UTC → 2026-09-09 02:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualification Group C matches concluded at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho with U20 Vietnam failing to qualify. Following an opening 3-0 loss to U20 North Korea and a 1-2 defeat to U20 Palestine, Vietnam faced a decisive final match against U20 Iran on September 6, 2026. Despite taking an early lead in the 40th minute through captain Nguyen Quoc Khanh, U20 Vietnam suffered a 1-3 defeat against U20 Iran. The team conceded three goals during the second half, including two from penalty kicks. This result leaves U20 Vietnam at the bottom of Group C with zero points from three matches. Under new AFC regulations, finishing at the bottom of the group results in relegation to the Development Phase for the next cycle. Vietnam joins ten other teams—including representatives from Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Hong Kong—in this phase. To return to the Qualification Phase for the 2031 tournament, Vietnam must finish in the top two of their assigned group during the 2029 Development Phase matches. Following the elimination, head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi has faced scrutiny regarding his professional background. Reports suggested Ikeuchi had not managed a team in 16 years, prompting debates over his tactical suitability. However, Japan Football Association records clarify that while he has not led national youth teams since 2009, he has held significant roles in youth ~~development. Analysts have attributed the team’s failure to a lack of competitive experience~~ development, including coaching U15 academy teams between 2021 and ~~insufficient preparation time.~~ 2024. Ikeuchi has apologized to supporters, noting that players “lack sufficient match experience to compete with high-pressure teams like Iran.” Experts have attributed the failure to a lack of competitive experience and insufficient preparation time, raising broader concerns regarding Vietnam’s youth training systems.

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