U23 Uzbekistan calls up European-based players for ASIAD 20: U23 Vietnam's opponent is no pushover

When the 26-player call-up list for U23 Uzbekistan at ASIAD 20 was announced, I immediately noticed one name: Mukhammadali Urinboev. The 19-year-old plays for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League — one of Europe's most tactically demanding and physically intense leagues. On the Transfermarkt rankings, Urinboev is valued at €400,000. That figure is modest by European standards, but at ASIAD 20, he ranks among the tournament's most valuable players. This reveals a reality: even though Uzbekistan deliberately lowered their squad age to U21, they still possess formidable quality.

The context behind this decision is clear. The Uzbekistan Football Federation has set a long-term goal: preparing for the 2028 Asian U23 Championship and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. They are willing to sacrifice immediate results at ASIAD 20 to give their youngest cohort competitive exposure. The U23 Uzbekistan squad at this tournament is effectively their U21 team — players born in 2026 or later. This is a deliberate development strategy, not a dismissal of the tournament. Before the event, they held a training camp in Japan and played a friendly against hosts China on September 10. That proves they are preparing very seriously.

The key lies in Urinboev's versatility. He can play as an attacking midfielder, left winger, or right winger. This flexibility allows the Uzbekistan coach to adjust attacking formations fluidly based on match circumstances. His experience in the Belgian league — which emphasizes organized pressing and positional play — gives him superior game-reading ability compared to teammates still playing domestically for clubs like Pakhtakor, Nasaf, or Olympic MobiUz. He is the team's tactical anchor.

However, I want to offer a contrarian perspective. Uzbekistan fielding a young squad does not mean they are weaker. Young teams often compensate for physical immaturity with high pressing intensity and fast tempo. This could create an open, chaotic match — the kind of game where U23 Vietnam's experience and physical maturity can be exploited. But that openness also carries risk: if U23 Vietnam becomes complacent, one small mistake against an energetic young opponent could prove costly.

The match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Uzbekistan takes place on September 22 in the ASIAD 20 group stage, which also features Kuwait and Philippines. With Uzbekistan using their U21 team, U23 Vietnam's path to advancement looks clearer. But I always remember my own saying: "Three falls, one flash, a lifetime as a storyteller." Asian football is witnessing Uzbekistan's rise — a youth development model Vietnam should study. Beating a U21 team is nothing to boast about, but losing to them would be a scar that heals slowly. U23 Vietnam must approach this match with maximum focus, not letting media hype cloud their preparation. An empty summer turns out to be the trophy that lights up the year — but only if we know how to turn preparation into victory on the pitch.