Who is worthy to be the support for U.23 Vietnam?

Coach Kim Sang-sik needs to outline the squad and find a leader to increase the strength of U.23 Vietnam in important tournaments at the end of the year.

U.23 Vietnam MUST RELY ON THEMSELVES

U.23 Vietnam has won 2 out of the last 3 SEA Games, in 2019 and 2022 respectively, both with an undefeated record. At the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines, U.23 Vietnam was crowned as the best attacking team of the tournament (24 goals in 7 matches). Three years later, Vietnamese youth football was crowned Southeast Asian champions, this time with the most solid defense (clean sheet throughout the tournament).

Bui Vi Hao is a rare U.23 player who has played as a starter for the national team.

Photo: MINH TU

However, it is necessary to recognize the fact that U.23 Vietnam conquered the 30th and 31st SEA Games mainly thanks to the experience and bravery of the overage players in the squad. In 2019, Coach Park Hang-seo wisely included Trong Hoang and Hung Dung in the tournament roster (the organizers allowed each team to use 2 overage players). With Trong Hoang persistently working on the right wing, and Hung Dung stubborn and persistent like a "machine" in the midfield, U.23 Vietnam swept all opponents.

By 2022, the number of over-age players added to each team has increased to 3. This time, not only do they carry the burden, but players over 23 years old like Hung Dung, Hoang Duc and Tien Linh also... do the work of scoring, creating, and helping the younger generation to the gold medal. The mark of the younger generation in the last 2 SEA Games gold medals, although there was one, was not strong. By the 32nd SEA Games (2023), when the organizing committee no longer allowed teams to use over-age players, Vietnamese youth football only won the bronze medal.

U.23 Vietnam will have to stand on its own two feet, without any help from its seniors, because the SEA Games 33 organizing committee has removed the rule of using overage players. This is a reasonable decision, because after all, the youth playground must be for the young. U.23 players need to learn how to overcome pressure and decide for themselves in order to gather enough qualities to step up to the national team later.

WHAT FRAMEWORK FOR U.23 Vietnam?

U.23 Vietnam will compete in 3 major tournaments in the second half of 2025. Starting with the Southeast Asian U.23 tournament in July, followed by the 2026 Asian U.23 qualifiers in September, and concluding with the 33rd SEA Games in December.

The dense and continuous competition schedule requires U.23 Vietnam to have a stable and consistent force. Failure in any competition can lead to a "domino effect" that will shake ambitions in the remaining tournaments. Right now, coach Kim Sang-sik needs to build a vertical axis for U.23 Vietnam.

Based on the U.23 players that Mr. Kim gave the opportunity to join the national team for training, it can be seen that the team's framework has gradually taken shape. In goal, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is the top choice. Trung Kien has started 23 matches for HAGL in the V-League this season, and is highly appreciated for his physique (1.9 m tall), reflexes and ability to come and go. Trung Kien has been continuously called up to the national team since the end of 2024 for training. He is the number 1 option in goal at the moment.

In defense, Ly Duc (HAGL) was also favored by Mr. Kim to be called up to the national team in the last 2 rounds. He is a reliable "shield" for U.23 Vietnam. Central defenders such as Nhat Minh (Hai Phong) and Van Ha ( Hanoi ) will compete for the starting position.

In midfield, Thai Son (Thanh Hoa) and Van Truong have a good chance of starting, as they have played for the Vietnamese national team in major tournaments. On the two wings, Van Khang (The Cong Viettel ), Phi Hoang (Da Nang), Van Cuong (SLNA) and Viktor Le (Ha Tinh) have a chance to be trusted, as they have experienced many big and small tournaments. And on the attack line, Quoc Viet (Ninh Binh), Vi Hao (Binh Duong), Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND) are impressive "guns" who have been tested by the Vietnamese national team.

As a leader, Van Khang (captain of U.20 Vietnam) is a trustworthy face, but don't forget that Van Truong, Quoc Viet or Trung Kien can also be chosen if they show leadership qualities and experienced competition.

However, these are potential candidates in theory. Only when he directly trains U.23 Vietnam from next month, coach Kim Sang-sik can sketch out the whole picture to plan the players and playing style. U.23 Vietnam needs to quickly enter a stable phase to compete for its ambition to rise up.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ai-xung-dang-la-cho-dua-cho-u23-viet-nam-185250619213621286.htm