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

This afternoon, at the training ground of the U20 Vietnam national team, the atmosphere was completely different from after the 0-3 loss to U20 North Korea. The players passed the ball at a faster pace, there was more laughter, and head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi constantly shouted reminders about positioning. The sadness of that disastrous opener has been put aside, because ahead lies a must-win clash with U20 Palestine on September 3. During the training session on the afternoon of September 2, the U20 Vietnam team made important tactical adjustments. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi asked his players to play more compactly and provide better cover following the heavy defeat against U20 North Korea in Group C of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. Although the chance to advance remains alive, the Japanese coach and his players know that only a victory over Palestine will allow them to control their own destiny. The biggest loss for U20 Vietnam is the absence of central defender Nguyen Le Phat. No specific reason was given, but this absence deprives the backline of its most experienced anchor. Currently, Dinh Quang Kiet is the only remaining figure who can take on the leadership role in defense. Despite his poor performance against North Korea, Quang Kiet is still considered an indispensable pillar given the depleted squad. According to reporters, the players have moved past the psychological shock of the 0-3 defeat. The training atmosphere was quite relaxed, with players even playing games after the main drills. That shows they have partly regained confidence ahead of the important match. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi said: "It's not over yet. We need to compensate the fans with a better performance. The whole team is focused on Palestine." As for the opponent, U20 Palestine also just suffered a 1-2 loss to U20 Iran in the opening round. This shows their level is not superior to Vietnam, and this is seen as an opportunity for coach Ikeuchi's side to secure their first win. However, experts point out that U20 Vietnam do not have the strongest squad for this qualifying campaign. The absence of several key players, along with the departure of Nguyen Le Phat, has significantly weakened the team's strength. This is also considered one of the important reasons for the loss to North Korea – the team rated as the strongest in the group. Tactically, after the 0-3 defeat, analysts predict U20 Vietnam will play more defensively, limiting spaces, rather than pushing high as they did in the opener. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi is likely to set up a low block, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities or exploiting set pieces. Although there is no specific xG or PPDA data, the lesson from the North Korea match shows the defense needs great improvement. Another psychological pillar is the support from the fans. Despite disappointment with the opening match, supporters still pay great attention to the young team. This expectation can create pressure, but it also serves as motivation for the players to fight. Looking at the Group C standings, U20 North Korea are temporarily leading after an impressive victory, while U20 Iran have three points thanks to beating Palestine. U20 Vietnam and Palestine both have no points, so their direct clash is almost a final of hope. If they lose, the chance of advancing almost ends. If they win, Coach Ikeuchi's side will keep alive their dream of reaching the AFC U20 Asian Cup finals. During training, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi spent a lot of time on defensive drills, especially dealing with crosses and defending against wide attacks. These were weaknesses exposed against North Korea. U20 Palestine are also a physically strong team, ready to apply pressure, so the ability to absorb pressure and organize counter-attacks will be key. In terms of personnel, besides Nguyen Le Phat, the team is also without several other names for undisclosed reasons. This poses a challenge for the coaching staff in rotating and maintaining fitness. However, with a "fight to the end" spirit, the young players remain determined to give their all. Speaking further to the press, Coach Ikeuchi emphasized: "We know the fans are disappointed. We need to show them a completely different face. Three points against Palestine is a must." The match between U20 Vietnam and U20 Palestine kicks off at 19:00 on September 3. It is the most anticipated game of Group C in the second round. If they win, U20 Vietnam will have three points, temporarily moving up the standings and gaining confidence for the final match against U20 Iran. If they lose, everything will almost be over. In fact, the recent performances of Vietnamese youth teams have been quite inconsistent. Constantly missing the strongest squad, along with a demanding schedule, has worried fans. But it is precisely in difficult times that the character of young players is forged. U20 Palestine are not an overwhelmingly strong opponent. Their 1-2 defeat to Iran shows they can be breached. If U20 Vietnam play with discipline and take their chances, victory is well within reach. The key is for Coach Ikeuchi's players to stay calm and avoid the individual errors seen against North Korea. After the Palestine match, U20 Vietnam will still face U20 Iran. But for now, the whole team is focused only on the immediate life-or-death battle. A win would boost confidence, not only for the U20 team but for Vietnamese youth football as a whole. There have been suggestions that missing key players is an excuse for failure. But Coach Ikeuchi does not want to dwell on that. He simply said the team has 23 players, and all are ready to contribute. This afternoon's training lasted about 90 minutes. The coaching staff simulated several defensive situations, especially when Palestine attack from the flanks. The midfielders were asked to drop deep to support, forming a solid wall in front of the goal. The wingers were also tasked with covering for the full-backs, minimizing crosses into the box. Fans can hope for a completely different performance. Data from the North Korea match, though not officially published, showed from observation that the team lost direction after conceding early. Therefore, keeping a clean sheet in the first half against Palestine will be the foundation for a good result. Individually, Dinh Quang Kiet needs to prove his class. In the previous match, he was criticized for being overwhelmed by North Korean players. But against Palestine, as the most experienced player, Quang Kiet must be the anchor for his teammates. Broadly speaking, the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers have always been a breeding ground for young talents. Although they do not have the strongest squad, the opportunity is still in U20 Vietnam's hands. All they need is a victory – a victory to continue the story. If they lose to Palestine, the door will almost close. But if they win, attention will return to this young team. The coaching staff hopes the players will turn pressure into motivation.