U20 Vietnam and the lesson from the gaps: Is coach Ikeuchi Yutaka losing trust?

I looked at the scoreboard after the 0-3 loss to U20 North Korea. Not because of the defeat, but because of the way the team collapsed in silence. The players left the pitch with vacant eyes, as if they didn't understand what they had done wrong. That was the moment I realized: the problem is not about fitness or technique, but something deeper – the connection between coach and players has broken. The context of this story begins with the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. U20 Vietnam entered the tournament with high expectations, following the resounding success of U23 (third in Asia) and U17 (Southeast Asian champions). But the harsh reality: two consecutive losses to North Korea (0-3) and Palestine (1-2). Only one match remains against Iran on September 6; if they lose, the team will be relegated. The consequences are not just missing the finals, but disrupting the flow of young talent that has been the pride of Vietnamese football. I used to write before listening. Now, I listen to the gaps between the answers. And those gaps, in this case, lie in the tactics of coach Ikeuchi Yutaka. Former VFF official Duong Vu Lam frankly pointed out: "U20 Vietnam's coordination was not smooth, and they did not play as well as the national team, U23, or U17." This is not accidental. Ikeuchi Yutaka, a Japanese, lacks practical experience with Vietnam's youth teams. He does not understand his players, especially those who have played in the V-League – a highly competitive league that demands strong personalities. Look at center-back Dinh Quang Kiet, 1m95 tall, a V-League starter with good interception and aerial ability. But under Ikeuchi, this player has been almost invisible. Instead of using Quang Kiet's strengths to lock down opposing strikers, the coach built a rigid defensive system that constantly made mistakes. This is proof that he does not know how to use personnel appropriately. The first lesson does not come from a contract, but from an unconfirmed rumor – but here, the rumor has become truth: Ikeuchi Yutaka is not capable of leading U20 Vietnam. Deeper tactical analysis shows the outdated approach. While U23 under Kim Sang Sik used flexible pressing, U17 under Cristiano Roland played modern possession football, Ikeuchi's U20 employed passive defending reliant on long balls. This left players disoriented, unable to showcase their technical skills. A close source revealed that in closed meetings, players questioned the tactics but received no satisfactory explanation. The transfer market operates on the trust of those who know how to listen, but here, trust is fading. The contrarian view: many say U20 Vietnam failed due to a lack of naturalized players. But Duong Vu Lam rejects this. He points out that U23 and U17 succeeded without naturalization, thanks to training quality and suitable tactics. So what is the real problem? It is the coach's lack of experience in managing young players' psychology. At this age, players need a teacher who listens and understands, rather than imposing a rigid framework. Ikeuchi Yutaka comes from Japanese football – where discipline and system are paramount – but fails to harmonize with Vietnamese football culture, where individuality and creativity are encouraged. Listening is not just waiting for your turn to speak; it is reading the obsession of the one who pays the price. And the obsession here is the risk of relegation. If they lose to Iran on September 6, U20 Vietnam will be eliminated from the continental stage, causing a ripple effect on U23 and the national team. Young talents like Tran Gia Bao and Nguyen Le Phat may lose international exposure, slowing their development. This is a wake-up call for the VFF: reconsider the strategy of appointing foreign coaches for youth teams, especially those without deep experience in Southeast Asia. Looking ahead, I do not believe in a miraculous change after just one match. But I believe in the ability to learn from mistakes. Ikeuchi Yutaka needs to listen more, not only from experts but from his own players. If not, his first lesson – also his last – will be another failed contract in Vietnamese football history.