Southeast Asian fans react unexpectedly to the strength of Vietnam U23

The friendly match between Vietnam U23 and Qatar U23 attracted not only domestic fans but also sparked lively discussions among the Southeast Asian football community.

Although coach Đinh Hồng Vinh’s team narrowly lost 2-3 to Qatar U23, most opinions expressed admiration for Vietnam U23’s fighting spirit and positive performance during their preparation for SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.

On the ASEAN Football forum, many supporters encouraged Vietnam U23 after the unfortunate defeat. A user named Eil commented: “Winning or losing doesn’t matter in friendlies, as the main goal is to test tactics, lineups, and evaluate players.”

Malaysian fan Mohd Izwan Mohd Kamaruzaman sent his best wishes: “Great game, Vietnam,”as a morale boost for the young players. Meanwhile, Ahmad Steve from Singapore also showed sympathy: “It’s okay, you played well, keep pushing forward.”

Many comments from Indonesia showed admiration for the physique and progress of the Vietnamese players. User Mei Meiliza wrote: “Is this really Vietnam U23? Their physiques are impressive — tall, strong, and well-developed muscles.” Another fan, Grunt Infinix, offered encouragement: “No worries, it’s just a friendly match. Keep moving forward and improve more... sending greetings from Indonesia.”

Although the result was not ideal, Vietnam U23’s performance against the West Asian team demonstrated clear improvements in fitness, tactics, and fighting spirit. Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh’s bold rotation, giving chances to newcomers like Trần Thành Trung, Nam Hải, and Văn Thuận, received high praise from regional fans who closely follow Vietnam’s football journey.

After finishing the training camp in the UAE, Vietnam U23 will return home to continue preparations for SEA Games 33 in Thailand in December 2025 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. With an indomitable fighting spirit and support from fans throughout Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s young team is highly expected to maintain their leading regional position and aim for impressive achievements in the near future.