Announcing the list of 28 U22 Vietnam players preparing for SEA Games 33

This is an important step in the journey of more than a year of building the force, aiming to compete for medals at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games and further, the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Overall, the force summoned this time is still based on the familiar framework that has accompanied the team since the end of 2024.

Công bố danh sách 28 cầu thủ U22 Việt Nam chuẩn bị SEA Games 33- Ảnh 1.

Midfielder Van Truong will be absent from SEA Games 33.

This is a generation of players who have accumulated experience through many official tournaments and quality training trips, especially three times participating in the international CFA Team China tournament, which brings together the top U22 teams in the continent such as Korea, Uzbekistan and China. These high-intensity matches have helped the team mature significantly, especially in terms of competitive spirit and tactical adaptability.

The results were shown in 2025 when U22 Vietnam successfully defended the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, the third consecutive title of Vietnamese youth football in the regional arena. Also in the year, the team maintained impressive form in the 2026 U23 Asian Qualifiers and won a ticket to the Finals with a record of winning all 3 matches, demonstrating stability in playing style and confidence.

However, the journey towards SEA Games 33 recorded a big loss when midfielder Nguyen Van Truong suffered a ligament injury in the match at Panda Cup 2025 against U22 Korea. The mandatory surgery prevented the player born in 2003 from participating. Van Truong is an important link in the tactical operation, can play both the central midfielder and attacking midfielder roles, with the ability to maintain the rhythm and create breakthroughs. His absence forced the coaching staff to adjust the personnel plan.

To ensure squad depth, coach Kim Sang Sik continues to maintain stability and add familiar faces who have participated in recent training sessions such as Nguyen Le Phat, Tran Thanh Trung or Nguyen Duc Viet. These are all players who clearly understand the tactical requirements and integrate well with the general playing style, suitable in the context of not much preparation time left.

According to the plan, U22 Vietnam will gather in Vung Tau from November 23 and leave for Thailand on December 1. The team will play the opening match against U22 Laos on December 4, before facing U22 Malaysia on December 11. Notably, two pillars Pham Minh Phuc and Nguyen Dinh Bac will be absent from the opening match due to being busy playing for CAHN Club and can only gather on the day of the opening match.

Despite some difficulties in terms of personnel, U22 Vietnam still maintains its initiative thanks to a systematic and continuous preparation process. The professional foundation accumulated over a long period of time will be the foundation for coach Kim Sang Sik and his team to enter the 33rd SEA Games with great determination, aiming to compete for medals and affirm the position of Vietnamese youth football in the region.