Quoc Cuong (left) during the victory against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: VPF
In preparation for the 33rd SEA Games later this year and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship early next year, the Vietnam U23 team will gather in Hanoi on October 4th before departing for the UAE for training and friendly matches.
In this training camp, the Vietnam U23 team has a new player of Vietnamese descent from Russia, Vadim Nguyen, bringing the total number of overseas Vietnamese players to three – the highest in history. The other two overseas Vietnamese players are Viktor Le (Russia) and Tran Thanh Trung (Bulgaria).
Step into the light
But another name that has attracted much attention is Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong - the 21-year-old midfielder who is playing outstandingly in the V-League 2025-2026 for Ho Chi Minh City Police Club with 2 goals in the first 6 appearances of the season.
Notably, both goals scored by Quoc Cuong were decisive in securing victories for the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club on their home ground.
The first goal helped the team take a 2-1 lead in a 3-1 victory against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City in round 4. The second goal sealed a 3-2 comeback win against Song Lam Nghe An in round 5.
Quoc Cuong celebrated emotionally after scoring the winning goal in the 3-2 victory against Song Lam Nghe An - Photo: CAHCM FC
With that impressive performance, Quoc Cuong was given the opportunity to return to the Vietnam U23 team by coach Kim Sang Sik after not being called up for the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship in July and the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers in September.
Previously, Quoc Cuong was first called up to the Vietnam U23 team by coach Kim Sang Sik in March 2025.
He participated in the 2025 CFA China Team International U23 Tournament in China with the Vietnam U23 team, but did not leave much of an impression under head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, and therefore has not been called up since then.
During coach Philippe Troussier's time, Quoc Cuong was also called up to the Vietnam U23 team to prepare for the 2024 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers. However, he was also dropped early because he couldn't compete with the senior players.
But this time, the best player from the 4th graduating class of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai JMG Academy has many opportunities to prove himself, despite the current U23 Vietnam team's midfield being quite crowded with many talented players.
Not only has Quoc Cuong shown great professional progress, but he can also play in multiple positions – something that coach Kim Sang Sik greatly needs in terms of tactical formation.
If he continues to work hard and perform impressively, Quoc Cuong could absolutely become a breath of fresh air in the Vietnam U23 team at the upcoming SEA Games 33.
Quoc Cuong's grandmother is the younger sister of Cong Phuong's grandfather. This player was accepted into the 4th intake of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai JMG Academy during the supplementary recruitment at the end of 2014.
Quoc Cuong was highly regarded by coach Guillaume Graechen in the 4th intake. Therefore, when he moved to work at the Nutifood JMG Academy, the French coach also brought Quoc Cuong along with many other talented players.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-hoi-cho-em-ho-cong-phuong-o-u23-viet-nam-20251001110823883.htm
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