Olympic Vietnam departs for Japan: Only one training session before ASIAD

On the afternoon of September 12, 2026, the Olympic football team of Vietnam officially departed for Japan to compete in the Asian Games (ASIAD), with the squad having had only a single training session before departure. This reflects a concerning state of Vietnamese football as we enter a continental-level tournament. According to records, all 21 players assembled from noon that day, including six players who had just finished a domestic league match between Hanoi and Song Lam Nghe An, traveling directly to the airport. Two more players will arrive in Japan on September 14, meaning the full squad will have only about one day together before the opening match against Kuwait on September 15. This is the second time Vietnam has participated in men's football at the Asian Games. Previously, the team failed to advance past the group stage. This time, the Vietnam Football Federation has set a quarterfinal target - an ambitious yet challenging goal. The team is drawn in Group C alongside Kuwait, Philippines, and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is considered the strongest side in the group, stemming from Central Asia's robust youth development system. The schedule also favors Vietnam: the opening match against Kuwait comes just two days after arrival, the second match against Philippines is considered a must-win, and the final match against Uzbekistan represents the toughest test. From a technical standpoint, with such a short preparation window, the team can hardly build a possession-based or high-pressing game. Instead, a deep defensive block and quick counter-attacks would be the most realistic choice. However, the six players who just competed in the domestic league must travel immediately without recovery time - a high risk factor for soft-tissue injuries. The gap between ambition and reality in Vietnamese football this time is significant. One training session, a squad arriving in three waves, and a quarterfinal target - this story reflects the ongoing challenges of balancing the domestic calendar with national team preparation. Success or failure at these Asian Games depends not only on player talent but also serves as a test of Vietnamese football's organizational system.