AFC U23 Asian Cup
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.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: Runners-up (2018)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group C winners
Group A fixtures: v Jordan (Jan 6), v Kyrgyz Republic (Jan 9), v Saudi Arabia (Jan 12)
Fun fact: The only time Vietnam did not qualify for the Finals was in the inaugural edition in 2013.
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: Runners-up (2018)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group C winners
Group A fixtures: v Jordan (Jan 6), v Kyrgyz Republic (Jan 9), v Saudi Arabia (Jan 12)
Fun fact: The only time Vietnam did not qualify for the Finals was in the inaugural edition in 2013.
2018 Final: Vietnam 1-2 Uzbekistan
Vietnam will not be lacking in confidence after a sterling qualifying campaign which saw them finishing top without conceding once. Their ticket to the Finals was confirmed with victories against Bangladesh (2-0), Singapore (1-0) and Yemen (10-0).
Drawn in Group A, Vietnam will open their campaign against Jordan before taking on Kyrgyz Republic and Saudi Arabia and will be optimistic of taking one of the two quarter-final spots.
Key to their challenge will be combative midfielder Khuat Van Khang, who has already established himself as a mainstay at the senior level.
Drawn in Group A, Vietnam will open their campaign against Jordan before taking on Kyrgyz Republic and Saudi Arabia and will be optimistic of taking one of the two quarter-final spots.
Key to their challenge will be combative midfielder Khuat Van Khang, who has already established himself as a mainstay at the senior level.
#AFCU23 - Khuat Van Khang (Vietnam)
The 21-year-old has made 37 appearances and scored four goals for the U23 side, while also featuring prominently for the senior national team - finding the net once in 22 appearances.
Having not gone past the quarter-finals since their second place finish in 2018, Vietnam will be looking to reassert themselves on the continental stage.
Having not gone past the quarter-finals since their second place finish in 2018, Vietnam will be looking to reassert themselves on the continental stage.
