U23 Vietnam says goodbye to key player ahead of Asiad 2026: Compounding preparation crisis

As the U23 Vietnam team prepares for the 2026 Asian Games, they have received unfortunate news: midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong (20) has been forced to withdraw due to a thigh muscle injury with edema, unable to recover in time. Cong Phuong is one of the 14 most experienced players in the squad, playing a leading role in playmaking and stability among a young lineup. His absence poses a difficult puzzle for head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, who is already facing challenges from a congested V-League schedule, Hanoi FC’s refusal to release goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai, and only four days of preparation before the opening match against U23 Kuwait on September 15. To replace Cong Phuong, the coaching staff urgently called up Hoang Quang Dung – a midfielder born in 2026 currently playing for Hue FC (a lower-division club). Although Quang Dung was previously summoned for a training camp in late July, having to draft a player from a lower division into the official roster reveals the thin midfield depth of U23 Vietnam. In the context of the high-level Asiad tournament, Quang Dung’s lack of international experience is a significant risk. Furthermore, the goalkeeper crisis has raised concerns. Hanoi FC has refused to release goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai for the U23 team, leaving only two goalkeepers if negotiations fail. VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu admitted: “Replacing a goalkeeper is not simple, as injury confirmation from the organizing committee is required.” This confirmation process may drag on, affecting the deadline for finalizing the squad before flying to Japan on September 13. Without a third goalkeeper, the team will face high risk in the most exposed position throughout the tournament – a position that cannot be flexibly substituted. Additionally, left-back Dang Tuan Phong will only arrive in Japan on matchday (September 15), with no time to train with the team. This poses a huge challenge to defensive cohesion – the area most sensitive to disruption. With only two official training sessions before the first match, implementing any complete tactical system is nearly impossible. Analysts predict the team will have to rely on a simple defensive counter-attacking style, leaning heavily on set pieces – the safest option given the short timeframe. The V-League schedule has caused many players to arrive late, with fitness levels uncertain. This is a long-standing structural problem in Vietnamese youth football: clubs prioritize domestic competitions over international youth tournaments that fall outside FIFA windows. As a result, the U23 team frequently faces player shortages, limited preparation time, and immense performance pressure from fans – who have grown accustomed to recent achievements such as SEA Games 33 gold, 3rd place at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and the 2026 AFF U23 Championship title. Expectations are sky-high, but the preparation reality is full of obstacles. If the goalkeeper issue and roster gaps are not resolved decisively, U23 Vietnam may face a disappointing Asiad. This story is not just sports news but a wake-up call about coordination between the federation and clubs in preparing for international youth tournaments. Can coach Dinh Hong Vinh work miracles with a squad missing a key player, minimal training time, and numerous internal issues? Only time and performances on Japanese soil will tell.