Coach Dinh Hong Vinh makes 2 changes: U23 Vietnam only need a draw against U23 Uzbekistan to advance

The light training session before the final Group C match at the 2026 Asian Games lasted almost an hour. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh did not shout and did not hold a tactics board. He stood still near the touchline, letting his players move. Ngoc My kept crossing from the left wing, Thanh Nhan repeated explosive runs on the right. In the distance, Quoc Viet sat on the substitute bench. The silence before kick-off said more than any formation: U23 Vietnam are facing a decisive match. Group C at the Asian Games 2026 is in a clear state. U23 Vietnam are second with 4 points, a goal difference of +2, and are 3 points ahead of Kuwait. U23 Uzbekistan top the group with 6 points, a goal difference of +6, having scored 7 goals and conceded only 1. Uzbekistan have already secured a quarterfinal place. The Philippines are eliminated. A 2-0 win over the Philippines and a draw against Kuwait mean Dinh Hong Vinh's team control their own fate. A draw is enough to advance; a win would take top spot. If they lose, they must wait for the simultaneous result between the Philippines and Kuwait. In that context, Dinh Hong Vinh made two changes. Nguyen Le Phat replaced Quoc Viet as the central striker. Le Dinh Long Vu replaced Phi Hoang at left back. These are calculated changes, not cosmetic tinkering. He wants a striker who can move wide, absorb contact, and defend from the front. He also wants a left back who can push forward and support Ngoc My. The three centre-backs remain Duc Anh, Nguyen Hoang, and Pham Ly Duc. The central midfield pair of Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong and Xuan Bac is unchanged. Cao Van Binh keeps his place in goal. I have written down the name of every young player in my notebook; ten years later, they become the map of a generation. Uzbekistan are not an opponent for an open game. A 5-1 win over the Philippines and a 2-0 victory over Kuwait despite playing short-handed from the 48th minute prove their squad depth and their ability to score in different match states. They can control possession, wait for the moment, or suddenly accelerate. With the familiar back three, U23 Vietnam are likely to set up in a mid-to-low block, waiting to transition quickly through Ngoc My and Thanh Nhan. Both have scored at the tournament. Nguyen Le Phat starting is not just a reward for form; he provides a clear target for counter-attacks. The risk lies with Le Dinh Long Vu. This is his first start at the 2026 Asian Games. Changing the left-back position in a match where a draw is enough can be read two ways. One is that Dinh Hong Vinh wants to save Phi Hoang for the knockout round. Two is that he believes Long Vu can support the attack better and close down Uzbekistan's left corridor. Either way, the cover from the left-sided centre-back must be very active. The coach still trusts his defensive core and central midfield pair. He wants to control central areas, push Uzbekistan wide, and use the speed of Ngoc My and Thanh Nhan to punish the space behind them. Many people will think U23 Vietnam should sit as deep as possible, accept a draw, and take no risks. But the two changes show that the coach does not want to lock the team into a purely defensive posture. Ngoc My and Thanh Nhan are not on the pitch just to help defend the flanks. They are the team's only scorers at the tournament, along with Le Phat. How they press Uzbekistan's back line will decide the rhythm of the match. Quoc Viet being on the bench is also a message: this bench is not for those who wait. If a goal is needed, Quoc Viet will come on and become a game-changing weapon from the bench. Observers often say Uzbekistan have already qualified and will rotate, giving Vietnam an advantage. That may be wrong. Uzbekistan still need points to protect top spot and avoid a strong opponent in the next round. In youth football, a full rotation when the top spot is not secured is rare. Instead of expecting the opponent to ease off, look at how they controlled the game and scored while short-handed. That is a sign of a resilient team, not one that will go easy. Head-to-head record also needs perspective. U22 Vietnam drew 0-0 and lost 0-1 against U22 Uzbekistan in 2026. Those results show the gap is not huge, but they should not be turned into excessive hope. Youth football changes very quickly. What happened a year ago is only a reference point. Uzbekistan's squad at this Asian Games is sharper, with 7 goals in 2 matches, and the ability to finish matches at different moments. The 12:00 kick-off will be a real test of character for U23 Vietnam. The question is not whether they can absorb pressure. They can. The question is whether they dare to score before Uzbekistan settle into rhythm. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh has chosen the players with the fastest transition ability instead of the safest options. That is a signal. If Long Vu is not isolated, if Ngoc My stays calm in the first 20 minutes, U23 Vietnam can turn a draw-is-enough equation into a deserved victory. But if they drop too deep, Uzbekistan will not need a penalty to punish them. The past never saves anyone on the pitch.