Vietnam U20 face risk of missing Asian U20 finals after worst start in 16 years

The Vietnam U20 team is experiencing its worst start in the Asian U20 qualifiers since 2026, losing both opening matches against North Korea (0-3) and Palestine (1-2). With 0 points and a goal difference of -4, coach Ikeuchi's side sits at the bottom of Group C, facing not only the risk of missing the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals in China but also possible relegation to the development round under the new AFC regulations from 2026. The decisive match against Iran on September 6 will be the last chance for Vietnam U20 to cling to hope. If they fail to win, the team will officially become one of the six worst-performing teams in the qualifiers, marking the first time since 2026 (when the U19/U20 Asian qualifiers were held continuously) that Vietnam has not recorded a single victory in a qualifying campaign. According to historical data, from 2026 to the present, Vietnam U20 has participated in 12 qualifying editions, reaching the finals nine times. The best results were group wins in 2026, 2026, 2026, 2026, and 2026. However, never before has the team started with two consecutive defeats. Even in 2026, despite losses to China (0-1) and Jordan (0-2), they still beat Guam 17-0 to finish with three points. The current situation is even more serious due to the AFC's format change from 2026: the six worst teams will be relegated to the development round instead of simply being eliminated. This means that if Vietnam U20 fails to improve their ranking, they will have to compete in a lower-tier competition in future cycles, directly affecting the development pathway for young players. Tactically, coach Ikeuchi – recommended by the Japan Football Association (JFA) – brings a systematic youth development philosophy. He previously coached Japan's U15, U16, and U17 teams and has years of experience within the JFA system. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) emphasizes that youth development is a long-term process requiring consistency. However, the immediate results are putting significant pressure on the coaching staff. From a rules perspective, Vietnam U20's situation is not entirely hopeless. If they beat Iran by a sufficient margin and Palestine loses to North Korea, they could rise to second place through head-to-head criteria. However, Iran is rated significantly stronger than North Korea and Palestine, making this scenario difficult. Notably, this is the first time since 2026 that Vietnam U20 has failed to earn any points after two matches. This worrying difference reflects the gap in quality and preparation compared to regional rivals. If they cannot win against Iran, Vietnam U20 will experience the worst qualifying campaign in history, marking a significant setback for the country's youth football. Nevertheless, experts believe that the appointment of coach Ikeuchi is a positive signal for the future. The Japanese youth training model, successfully applied in many countries, could help Vietnam build a stronger foundation. But for now, Ikeuchi's squad must overcome the immediate challenge to avoid a systemic failure. The match against Iran on September 6 will be the final performance for Vietnam U20 to prove their mettle. Though the door is narrow, football always holds surprises. Can the young players create a miracle? The answer will come after 90 minutes on the pitch.