Coach Dinh Hong Vinh: U23 Vietnam ready for Asiad 2026 quarterfinals despite midfield losses

Coach Dinh Hong Vinh insisted U23 Vietnam are ready for any opponent in the Asian Games 2026 quarterfinals after his team lost 0-2 to Uzbekistan in the final Group C match on September 22, 2026, yet still advanced to the knockout stage. The result was costly beyond the scoreline: both first-choice central midfielders, Xuan Bac and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, picked up injuries and face a race against time to be fit for the September 25 quarterfinal. Speaking after the match, coach Dinh Hong Vinh congratulated Uzbekistan, who had won all their group games and almost kept the same squad that played at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. He attributed the sixth-minute goal to Uzbekistan's high tempo and a moment of lost concentration from his team. Although Vietnam regained control and created chances in the first half, they failed to convert them. The coach admitted that an equalizer before halftime could have changed the match. He was not satisfied with his team's ability to exploit attacks in the final third and said the playing style was sometimes slow in tempo. At the same time, he praised the players' attitude and fighting spirit. He also stressed that the team had to make personnel changes in every match because of injuries, and that he remains satisfied with the squad no matter what. Nagoya has experienced intense heat since September 13, 2026, making recovery a major challenge over a three-day turnaround. With South Korea and Saudi Arabia competing for top spot in Group D, Vietnam will likely face one of those two strong sides in the quarterfinals. Tactically, the absence of both double-pivot midfielders weakens Vietnam's ability to control transitions; a more cautious, transition-oriented approach is possible. The biggest risks are a recurring slow start, an attacking inefficiency problem, and the physical toll of the schedule. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh framed the defeat as part of a long-term rebuilding process. Many key U23 players have already been promoted to the senior national team, and the new generation is expected to improve in the future. Despite the difficulties, the team enters the quarterfinal with nothing to lose and with the belief that they can fight for an upset.