The leadership problem in U.23 Vietnam, who deserves to wear the captain's armband?

U.23 Vietnam rotates the captain's armband

One of the most prominent features to see the mark and personality of a military leader is the way the coach chooses the captain. At the current U.23 Vietnam team, coach Kim Sang-sik regularly rotates the executive committee to both encourage and test the capacity and leadership ability of his students. Previously, Van Khang was chosen as captain and Ly Duc was chosen as vice-captain. They both scored goals and played very well when U.23 Vietnam won the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship in Indonesia. In the 2026 Asian U.23 qualifiers at Viet Tri Stadium, the captain's armband was given to Van Truong, and Hieu Minh was chosen as vice-captain, both of whom played very responsibly and effectively.

Bài toán thủ lĩnh ở U.23 Việt Nam, ai xứng đáng đeo băng đội trưởng?- Ảnh 1. — Khuat Van Khang was the captain of the U.23 Vietnam team that won the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship.

At the recent Panda Cup 2025 friendly tournament in China, Van Truong continued to be given the captain's armband by Mr. Kim, but unfortunately in the match against U.23 Korea, he suffered a serious injury and could not compete at SEA Games 33. Before U.23 Vietnam leaves for Thailand, coach Kim Sang-sik and his colleagues will have the players re-elect a new executive committee, most importantly finding a captain to replace Van Truong. Candidates capable of shouldering the responsibility include Van Khang, Hieu Minh, Ly Duc, Thai Son and Trung Kien.

The trio Van Khang, Hieu Minh and Ly Duc have all been members of the U.23 Vietnam executive committee and are pillars in the team's playing style. Van Khang was the captain of the national youth teams from U.17 to U.20 Vietnam, possessing a wealth of experience and competitive spirit, and is considered the most promising. Thai Son was an important factor in the Vietnam national team and U.23 Vietnam under coach Troussier, and is also a promising candidate for the 2023 ASIAD in Hangzhou (China). Goalkeeper Trung Kien can also be given the captain's armband if Mr. Kim wants to have an important voice in the defense.

ENHANCE COLLECTIVE STRENGTH

As shared on the first day of his debut with the Vietnam team, Coach Kim Sang-sik puts the team spirit at the highest level. This is clearly shown through the way Mr. Kim is willing to eliminate famous players, choose the right person, and the story of Thai Son having to give up his place to Xuan Bac in the Vietnam U.23 team is a proof. The story of Vietnam team captain Duy Manh often being on the bench at the AFF Cup 2024 further shows that Mr. Kim has a very unique view of the role of a captain.

Commentator Ngo Quang Tung commented: "The current U.23 Vietnam team does not have outstanding professional factors or strong, distinctive personalities to be leaders both professionally and spiritually. Therefore, it is understandable that coach Kim Sang-sik rotates the staff. At the Panda Cup 2025, Van Truong gradually improved, but unfortunately, injury struck. Now, U.23 Vietnam may return to the previous plan, with regular starters."

"The collective strength will be further emphasized in the journey of U.23 Vietnam competing at SEA Games 33. Of course, the individual role is also important. In which, the captain is the spiritual leader, leading teammates on the field and do not forget, only the captain has the right to communicate with the referee during the match. In actual combat, U.23 Vietnam may divide the leadership role among team leaders and area leaders. With Mr. Kim's personality in choosing people, it is difficult for fans to guess who will be given the captain's armband of U.23 Vietnam. But no matter which individual is chosen, the most important thing is that U.23 Vietnam must compete with a high team spirit to win," commented commentator Quang Tung.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-toan-thu-linh-o-u23-viet-nam-ai-xung-dang-deo-bang-doi-truong-185251125220646556.htm