The AFC said Vietnam will be striving to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup trophy for the first time when they compete in the final round scheduled for January 6–25 in Saudi Arabia.

A constant presence at the continental showpiece, the closest Vietnam have come to emerging champions was in 2018, when they lost to Uzbekistan in the final, the AFC noted.

Vietnam will not be lacking in confidence after an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them finish top of their group without conceding a goal. Their place in the finals was secured with victories over Bangladesh (2-0), Singapore (1-0) and Yemen (10-0).

Drawn in Group A, Vietnam will open their campaign against Jordan before facing Kyrgyz Republic and Saudi Arabia, and will be optimistic of claiming one of the two quarter-final berths.

Key to their challenge will be combative midfielder Khuat Van Khang, who has already established himself as a regular at senior level.

Having not gone beyond the quarter-finals since their runner-up finish in 2018, Vietnam will be looking to reassert themselves on the continental stage, the AFC concluded.

This will be Vietnam’s sixth consecutive appearance at the continental finals, with coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad expected to build on the historic 2018 second-place finish.

Vietnam U23 narrowly lose to Qatar U23 in another Abu Dhabi friendly

VOV.VN - Vietnam U23 lost 2-3 to Qatar U23 in a tightly contested friendly match during their ongoing training camp in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on October 13.