On the training ground in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, coach Kim Sang-sik and his students are going through the final days of preparation with high tempo and strict discipline. From the list of 36 players, the squad has now been reduced to 28 people, an important milestone showing that the Korean strategist is clearly shaping the tactical framework that he hopes will bring U23 Vietnam to the championship for the third consecutive time.
Consider the ability, do not hesitate to eliminate young stars
On July 7, the shortlist of 28 players was announced. 8 faces had to say goodbye to the team, including names highly appreciated by experts and fans such as Le Van Thuan (best young player of V.League 2024/25), Dinh Xuan Tien, Nguyen Quang Vinh (SLNA), Nguyen Dang Duong (The Cong Viettel ), or Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL).
This shows coach Kim Sang-sik's decisiveness in selecting personnel not based on reputation or past achievements, but placing emphasis on actual form, current physical condition and ability to adapt to tactics.
The elimination of SLNA players also partly reflects Mr. Kim’s principle of “no privileges” in evaluating players. Although SLNA is a famous football training center, no player is given special privileges if he does not perform well in training and friendly matches.
Similarly, two young players from the PVF academy - who stood out in youth tournaments, were also unable to overcome fierce competition to win a place on the final list.
Among the remaining 28 players, the highlight of the midfield is the remarkable highlight. With names like Khuat Van Khang, Viktor Le, Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Thai Son… U23 Vietnam owns a squad of midfielders who are both experienced in V.League and have good technical foundation and tactical thinking.
Viktor Le, a Vietnamese-American player who grew up in German football and is playing for Hong Linh Ha Tinh , is the most impressive face in recent times. He was not only given the captain's armband by Coach Kim in the friendly match against U22 Chinese Taipei, but also scored the opening goal, demonstrating his ability to control the match and his system-leading mindset. Viktor's presence is expected to bring a new, more modern look to the U23 Vietnam midfield.
Meanwhile, Khuat Van Khang, a player who has played for many national teams, is still considered a spiritual leader on the field. His intelligent playing style, skillful technique and international experience make Van Khang an important factor in Mr. Kim's tactical scheme.
However, to truly become a star in this tournament, the midfielder of The Cong Viettel needs to show his explosiveness in decisive moments. Nguyen Van Truong (Hanoi FC) and Nguyen Thai Son (Thanh Hoa) are the next two names that promise to create flexibility for the midfield. Van Truong has the ability to control the rhythm and launch attacks well, while Thai Son, with his mobile playing style, is considered the ideal "sweeper" in the midfield. The combination of these diverse midfielders is a significant advantage for U23 Vietnam.
Multi-level calculation, structural stabilization
If the midfield is a place with many rich options, the defense and attack of U23 Vietnam are being built in a stable direction by coach Kim Sang-sik. In the last two friendly matches with U22 Chinese Taipei (won 4-1 and 3-0), the Korean coach continuously rotated the squad but still maintained the solidity of the defense and the ability to press high effectively.
Center back Pham Ly Duc, or goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien are the names that are dominating in terms of form and coordination in operating the defense system. Under the hands of coach Kim, the U23 Vietnam defense is expected to bring peace of mind for the journey ahead.
In attack, Nguyen Quoc Viet continued to show his scoring talent for the youth team when he scored twice in the friendly matches. With a simple but effective playing style, Quoc Viet will likely play the role of the main striker. Next to him is striker Dinh Bac, a player with speed and the ability to move widely, suitable for Mr. Kim's flexible tactical scheme.
Shortening the list early instead of waiting until the last minute as usual shows that Mr. Kim is not only preparing for the upcoming tournament, but is also laying the foundation for further goals such as the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers, the 33rd SEA Games or even the 2028 Olympics.
The eliminated players are encouraged to maintain their form at their clubs to have the opportunity to return to the national team in the next training sessions, which shows the mindset of building a long-term force, not cutting corners. Coach Kim also has high expectations for the group of overseas Vietnamese players, who have good tactical thinking and physical strength.
In the group stage of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament, U23 Vietnam will meet U23 Laos (July 19) and U23 Cambodia (July 22). As the defending champion for two consecutive years (2022, 2023), the team does not hide its determination to win the championship for the third consecutive time. But clearly, this year's challenge is greater as many teams in the region have drastically reformed their squad and playing style.
It is expected that on July 12, the team will finish training in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and move to Ho Chi Minh City to depart for Indonesia on the morning of July 14. The official list of 23 players will be announced right before the departure date, concluding the careful screening process and opening up new expectations for Vietnamese youth football.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/dinh-hinh-tu-chieu-sau-va-ky-luat-chien-thuat-150539.html
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