U19 Vietnam is in the same group as host Indonesia, Myanmar and Timor Leste at the 2026 U19 Southeast Asian Championship. How do you assess the level of competition in this group, especially against Indonesia's home advantage?
VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu: It can be said that this is a highly competitive group. Indonesia is the defending champion, possessing many quality players who have participated in the U17 World Cup as well as players who are training and playing abroad, and also has the advantage of playing at home.
Myanmar has also always been an opponent with progress in youth training, while Timor Leste has recently shown many positive signs in youth football development.
However, at the U19 level, the most important thing is the preparation and development ability of players through each match. We respect all opponents but also believe in the preparation of U19 Vietnam. The team's goal is to play with the highest spirit, promote professional capacity and gradually affirm themselves in the regional playground.
The team had a training trip in Japan before going to Indonesia to play. How has this trip helped the team in professional work, sir?
- VFF always identifies creating conditions for youth teams to compete internationally as one of the important solutions to improve the quality of player training. The recent training trip in Japan was part of that plan.
Through matches with opponents with good professional qualifications, players experience a high-intensity competition environment, improve adaptability, tactical thinking as well as competitive bravery. More importantly, the coaching staff has more basis to assess the force, improve the squad and best prepare for the upcoming tournament.
The preparation process of U19 Vietnam faces many difficulties when many players still have to serve clubs in domestic leagues, some players are busy with studying. What has U19 Vietnam done to overcome this obstacle and what solutions has the VFF taken to support the team?
- This is a reality that not only Vietnam but also many football nations in the region are facing. For the U19 age group, players must both fulfill their obligations at the club and ensure their studies and personal development. VFF has proactively coordinated closely with clubs to create the most favorable conditions for the national team gathering.
We also developed a training plan early, flexible in reviewing forces, organizing training camps and international competitions so that the coaching staff has more time to evaluate players.
Although we do not have the most optimal force, we believe that the players currently in the national team are all quality factors and will try their best for the national colors.
U19 Southeast Asia is an important tournament in the roadmap towards continental playgrounds. What specific goals does VFF set for U19 Vietnam in this year's tournament, both in terms of achievements and young player development?
- For youth teams, achievements and player development must always go hand in hand. We want U19 Vietnam to achieve the best possible results at this tournament, but more importantly, to build a team with identity, competitiveness and prepare resources for higher levels.
The U19 Southeast Asian Championship is a step in the roadmap towards the 2027 AFC U20 Championship Qualifiers and further to the U23 team, the national team. Therefore, besides the competition results, we pay special attention to the maturity of the players through official international matches.
After the success of U17 Vietnam in the Asian arena and winning a ticket to the U17 World Cup, how do you expect U19 Vietnam to continue those positive signals in the youth training strategy of Vietnamese football?
- The success of U17 Vietnam recently is proof of the right direction in youth training of Vietnamese football. However, each age group has its own characteristics and needs to be recognized in a continuous development process.
The Vietnam Football Federation expects U19 Vietnam to continue to maintain the spirit of aspiration, will to rise up and competitiveness in international arenas.
The important thing is not only the result of a tournament, but how to create a continuous flow from U17, U19, U23 to the national team. That is the long-term goal of the strategy for developing Vietnamese youth football.
After the U19 Southeast Asian Championship, U19 Vietnam will continue to participate in the 2027 AFC U20 Championship qualifiers. Can you reveal the professional plan to prepare for the team in the upcoming journey?
- Right from the beginning of the year, the Vietnam Football Federation has developed a long-term preparation plan for the Vietnam U19 team with the central goal being the 2027 AFC U20 Championship qualifiers.
After the end of the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, the team is expected to regroup after the National U21 Championship, around July 29. After that, the team will have a training trip in Japan from August 8 to August 17 to continue to improve professional quality and complete the squad.
The Federation is also actively coordinating with relevant units to prepare for the 2027 AFC U20 Championship qualifiers scheduled to take place at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. With home field advantage and systematic early preparation, VFF expects the team to have the best conditions to aim for the goal of winning the right to participate in the AFC U20 Championship Finals.
Thank you, sir!
