Uzbekistan calls up European-based players for ASIAD 20: A long-term strategy or a risky gamble?

Night in Nha Trang, the salty sea breeze blows through the studio window, and I sit before the microphone again to talk about a distant team. But tonight is not about a match, but a squad announcement. U23 Uzbekistan has just announced their squad for ASIAD 20, and the first thing that made me pause was not the name Urinboev, who plays for Royal Antwerp, but a number: 21. They will bring a U21 squad to China, not U23. The empty stadium in my mind suddenly echoes with the opening whistle of a match where no one is certain of the outcome. This is not just a personnel decision; it is a declaration of war against their own future. I remember the days of June 2026, when Germany fell to South Korea in Kazan. I was silent for 7 seconds before saying: "The Germans have fallen on the Kazan pitch." A whole generation of Vietnamese fans who stayed up for this match were holding their faces. Now, I feel the same way when I read about Uzbekistan. They are not falling; they are deliberately stepping into a tactical abyss to test their wings. And that makes me both curious and worried for our U23 Vietnam. According to ASIAD regulations, each team is allowed to register a maximum of 3 over-age players (U23 + 3). But Uzbekistan, under the guidance of coach Khaydarov, has chosen a different path. They have called up 26 players for the training camp, but most of them belong to the U21 generation. The goal is not gold at ASIAD 20, but experience for the 2028 U23 Asian Championship and beyond, to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This is a publicly declared ambition, a deliberate sacrifice. They do not need the championship right now; they are building a generation that can conquer the peak in the next 4 years. The most notable name in this list is Mukhammadali Urinboev. This young player is currently playing for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League, an environment with high tactical discipline and organization. According to Transfermarkt, his value is estimated at around 400,000 euros. This number is not large in Europe, but it is one of the highest values at ASIAD 20. Urinboev can play as an attacking midfielder, left winger, or right winger. This versatility makes him a flexible tactical card, capable of being deployed in various formations depending on match dynamics. But I do not want to stop at one name. I want to talk about the bigger picture. The decision to send a U21 squad to ASIAD 20 is not a hasty one. They have prepared thoroughly. Before heading to China, they will have a friendly against the host nation on September 10. This is an important test, a way for young players to get accustomed to international match pressure before entering the group stage. They also had a training camp in Japan, a country considered one of the leading youth football nations in Asia. This shows they are preparing seriously, not taking the tournament lightly. Our group consists of Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Kuwait, and the Philippines. At first glance, Uzbekistan fielding a U21 squad seems like a good opportunity for U23 Vietnam. But I have followed football for 28 years; I know that in youth football, nothing is certain. Uzbek youth teams always have good technical foundations, trained systematically from academies like Pakhtakor, Nasaf, or Olympic MobiUz. They have squad depth, the confidence of a football nation that is developing strongly. Their choice of a U21 squad does not mean they are weak. On the contrary, it could be a signal that this generation of players is highly rated, capable of competing at the U23 level in the future. I remember Denmark at EURO 2026, when they lost Eriksen to a heart attack during the match against Finland. The world stood still. But they rose, they went deep into the tournament, and they touched the hearts of millions. Denmark did not need the championship — they taught all of Europe how to rise from the abyss. Uzbekistan seems to be following a similar philosophy, but at a different level. They do not need to prove anything at ASIAD 20; they are preparing for a greater conquest. This makes me rethink how we view our opponents. The match between Uzbekistan and Vietnam will take place on September 22. This is the match I believe will be decisive for the group standings. If U23 Vietnam beats a U21 team, that is normal, expected. But if we lose, it will be a huge shock, a wound that will be hard to heal in the hearts of fans. This is a "no-way-out" psychological situation. We are placed in a position where we must win, must prove our class. And that is exactly when our young players need the most composure. People remember the goals, but I remember the moment when two enemies embraced after the final whistle. Football is not just about scores; it is about human stories. And Uzbekistan's story at ASIAD 20 is a story of patience, of accepting sacrifice today for a better tomorrow. I cannot help but admire that, even though I stand on the other side of the line. But I also have to look at our reality. U23 Vietnam has a talented generation of players, well-trained, with high fighting spirit. We have advantages in physicality, maturity, and international experience. The important thing is that we must not be complacent. I have seen too many strong teams fall because of arrogance. And I have seen too many weak teams rise because of determination. Uzbekistan may be younger, but they have Urinboev, a player playing in Europe, a player who can make a difference with just one moment. I also want to mention a financial perspective. Urinboev's valuation of 400,000 euros is not just a number on Transfermarkt. It reflects his development potential. Royal Antwerp, an ambitious Belgian club, has invested in him. This shows they see a talent that can bring profit in the future. If Urinboev performs well at ASIAD 20, his value could skyrocket. This is not only good for him, but also for Uzbek football. It creates a positive cycle: young players get international exposure, increase their value, get sold to Europe, and generate resources to invest in youth development. This is a model that Vietnamese football needs to learn from. We have talented young players, but we do not have many playing in top European leagues. Sending players abroad not only helps them develop individually, but also elevates the level of the entire football nation. I am not saying we should rush, but we need a long-term strategy, like what Uzbekistan is doing. I also want to mention an important detail: Uzbekistan trained in Japan before the tournament. This shows they are not taking ASIAD 20 lightly. They want their young players to get used to a harsh competitive environment, to face strong opponents. They are preparing methodically, scientifically. And the friendly against China on September 10 is an opportunity to test the squad, to experiment with tactical options, to find weaknesses to fix. I have followed football for 28 years, through 8 World Cups and 8 Olympics. I have witnessed great teams collapse due to small mistakes. And I have witnessed small teams make history. Football never follows predictions. It always has surprises, shocks, moments that make us exclaim in amazement. For U23 Vietnam, the match against Uzbekistan is an important test. Not only professionally, but also psychologically. We need to respect the opponent, but not fear them. We need to be confident, but not complacent. We need to fight with all our might, but not let emotions override reason. I believe U23 Vietnam has the ability to advance past the group stage. We have a talented generation of players, an experienced coaching staff, and the passionate support of fans. But I also know that the road ahead is not easy. Uzbekistan, even as a U21 team, is still a formidable opponent. Kuwait and the Philippines are not weak teams either. We need to focus on each match one at a time, not think too far ahead. Finally, I want to say: football is not just about winning or losing. It is about stories, emotions, memories. The match between U23 Vietnam and U21 Uzbekistan on September 22 will be a memorable story, regardless of the result. And I will be there, sitting before the microphone, telling that story to millions of fans listening through the radio. Because, as I have said many times: the stadium is empty, but I still hear a million hearts breathing through the radio. 44 years chasing the ball, in the end I realize I am running towards people. And in this match, I will run towards our young boys, those who carry the hopes of an entire nation. I will cheer for them, I will believe in them, and I will tell their story with all my heart.