Speaking at a pre-match press conference on January 5, Kim acknowledged the high level of competition at the tournament but stressed that his players are in strong spirits.

Asked whether he felt pressure when reflecting on the achievement set by former coach Park Hang-seo at the 2018 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Changzhou, Kim noted that Park had done an outstanding job, leaving no room for doubt. However, he stressed that circumstances were now different, adding that the coaching staff were concentrating on the current squad.

He also pointed out that following their gold-medal triumph at the SEA Games 33 held recently in Thailand, the team had enjoyed thorough preparation and trained intensively on a daily basis. While acknowledging that the challenge ahead would be tough, the Korean manager expressed confidence in the players’ physical condition, mentality and overall readiness, saying he believed the team would demonstrate that on the pitch and that everything would turn out well.

Kim also finalised the team’s lineup for the opening game against Jordan on January 6. Striker Bui Vi Hao has been ruled out of the Vietnam U23 squad after failing to recover in time from injury. The medical staff assessed that the striker was not fit to compete, and he is scheduled to return home on January 5 for further treatment.

Vi Hao’s ankle injury flared up again following a collision in the friendly match against Syria on December 30, 2025. By the training session on January 4, the pain had become too severe for him to continue, forcing him to leave the pitch limping.

Kim also said the coaching staff would wait for striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan to fully recover, with the intention of using him in at least one group-stage match. Thanh Nhan suffered a calf tear prior to December 30, 2025 and is currently making gradual progress toward a return to action.

According to the Korean head coach, all remaining players named in Vietnam’s 23-man squad are in good physical condition. In particular, the team’s core group, including goalkeeper Trung Kien, defenders Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, Ly Duc, Minh Phuc and Phi Hoang, midfielders Thai Son and Xuan Bac, and strikers Dinh Bac, Viktor Le and Van Khang, are all deemed fit and ready.

Van Khang has been appointed team captain, with Hieu Minh and Dinh Bac serving as vice-captains.

Vietnam will face Jordan in their Group A opener at 6:30 p.m. (Vietnam time) on January 6. The result is expected to play a key role in shaping Vietnam’s chances of advancing from the group stage.

Vietnamese players train hard in Qatar ahead of AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s national team began 2026 with high-intensity training sessions in Qatar on January 1 before travelling to Saudi Arabia for their opening match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 finals against Jordan five days later.