U20 Vietnam Sets Aside Sorrow, Determined to Beat Palestine

On the morning of September 2, at the training center of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), I attended the final training session of U20 Vietnam before their match against Palestine. The atmosphere was quite different from what I imagined after the 0-3 loss to U20 North Korea. The players passed the ball at a fast tempo, occasionally breaking into laughter during two-player combination drills. Watching from the sideline, I realized: they had set aside their sorrow, or at least were trying very hard to hide it. The loss to U20 North Korea was a shock to the fans. I have followed Asian youth tournaments for over 20 years, and I understand that a heavy defeat in the opening match usually leaves psychological scars that are hard to heal. But with U20 Vietnam, the story seems different. They still have a chance to advance if they beat Palestine and get favorable results in the final round. That is why today's training session showed no signs of tension, but rather intense focus. However, what troubles me most is not the players' spirit, but the personnel puzzle. The departure of Nguyen Le Phat for personal reasons has left a huge gap in the defense. Dinh Quang Kiet is now the most experienced center-back remaining, and the entire defensive system depends on him. In today's session, I spent almost all my time observing Quang Kiet. He organized the defensive line very well, but one detail reminded me of my mistake at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers: I recorded the wrong number of fouls for Dimitri Payet because I only focused on one corner of the pitch. That lesson taught me that the report is not written in advance, and everything must be verified from reality. Palestine is not as easy an opponent as many people think. They lost 1-2 to Iran in their opening match, but that scoreline does not reflect their full strength. I have watched the recording of that match twice. Palestine plays medium-block pressing and is ready to transition quickly when opportunities arise. They have a center-forward who is very strong in aerial duels, which poses a huge challenge for Quang Kiet and the remaining center-backs. If U20 Vietnam only defends passively, they will face many difficulties. Head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi made determined statements before the match. He said that nothing is over yet, and the team will compensate the fans with a better performance. I appreciate this approach. In my career as a league discipline reporter, I have witnessed many teams collapse because they could not control their emotions after a heavy defeat. But I have also seen teams turn pain into motivation. The question is which group U20 Vietnam belongs to. My method for tracking the 2026 World Cup was a net: fine mesh, no fish missed. I applied this method to analyze the 0-3 loss to North Korea. The results showed that U20 Vietnam's defense made at least 4 serious positioning errors during defensive-to-offensive transitions. The players ran a lot, but ineffective running also creates beautiful numbers. They moved constantly but without organization, leaving deadly gaps in the central channel. This is what the coaching staff needs to fix immediately for the Palestine match. Tactically, I believe U20 Vietnam should play with a lower block compared to the North Korea match. Palestine does not have superior ball possession ability, but they are very dangerous in set-piece situations. If U20 Vietnam maintains proper team shape, minimizes fouls in dangerous areas, they can definitely get a favorable result. But the most important thing is mentality. The players need to believe they can do it. I remember a match at the 2026 World Cup when Iran under Carlos Queiroz surprised Portugal with disciplined defensive play. They did not have a stronger squad, but they had a clear plan and absolute belief in that plan. U20 Vietnam needs to do the same against Palestine. They do not need to play beautiful football, just effective football. The match on September 3 will be a turning point in the qualification campaign. A win will open the door to advancement, while a defeat will end all hopes. I believe the players understand this better than anyone. They do not need me to remind them of the pressure they face. What they need is a clear plan and the confidence to execute it. My mistake at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers taught me: the report is not written in advance. I cannot guarantee that U20 Vietnam will win, but I can recognize positive signals from today's training session. The players moved faster, coordinated better, and most importantly, they laughed more. In football, mental relaxation sometimes matters more than any tactical plan. And if U20 Vietnam maintains this state, they have every reason to hope. The match against Palestine is not just an ordinary football match. It is a test of character, of the ability to rise after a fall, and of whether these young players have what it takes to become pillars of Vietnamese football in the future. I will be in the stands to watch, with my notebook and pen ready. Because regardless of the outcome, I know that the report of this match will be written after the final whistle, not before.