HÀ NỘI — Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh expects the international friendly Gia Lai VTV Cup 2026 to serve as a vital stepping stone for U23 Việt Nam’s long-term campaigns heading into 2027. 

Vinh and guest coaches attended the pre-tournament press conference on November 9 in Gia Lai Province. He noted that his squad features a strong mix of recent Asian Games veterans and several players making their national team debut.

They will have time to interact with each other and merge into a united team in this competition and sharpen their skills for major events in the future while being a strong force for the national senior side.

"We will play our best for the national pride and give our supporters great matches, and at the same time prepare to have high-quality U23 players for later purposes such as the Asian championship and Olympics,” said Vinh.

Jose Angel Ziganda Lacunza of Qatar said the Gia Lai tournament serves a practical purpose for his team’s preparation, especially given that the players have not yet had much time to train or compete alongside one another.

He said facing opponents with diverse playing styles will enable the coaching staff to more accurately assess the team’s current capabilities, identify areas that need improvement, and strengthen cohesion within the squad.

Firdaus Bin Mohamed Kassim of Singapore, meanwhile, expected that his players would grow up from the tournament, where they would be against strong rivals.

Coach Chawatchai Damrong of Thailand couldn't join the conference due to his team's flight schedule but sent his message through a video clip.

He said Thailand gathered many players from a new generation who will be supported by experienced teammates. He will review their combination and ability through this event, which is the team's initial step for the Asian U23 qualification. 

Damrong said the opening match against the hosts will be a key point of the tournament, as Thailand and Việt Nam have been archrivals for many years. Their matches of all levels are always most wanted for supporters of both sides.

Việt Nam plays Thailand tonight at 7pm at Pleiku Stadium, following an earlier matchup between Qatar and Singapore. The tournament continues with fixtures on November 12 and 14. 

The strongest team with the highest point total will earn a trophy and US$100,000, while the two runners-up will pocket $40,000 and $20,000, respectively.

The best individuals will also receive awards. The MVP winner will receive $2,000; the top scorer and best goalkeeper will be given $1,000 each, while the best referee team will take $1,000. — VNS