Coach Kim Sang Sik explains the reason for removing Vietnamese-American player Tran Thanh Trung

Head coach of Vietnam U23 Kim Sang Sik said he thought a lot when removing Tran Thanh Trung from the list of players participating in the 2026 AFC U23 qualifiers.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is confident that U23 Vietnam can successfully complete the goal in the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers - Photo: NGOC LE

"Because the qualifying round rules only allow each team to register 23 players, I had to remove one person from the U23 Vietnam team. I thought about it and eliminated Tran Thanh Trung. But it's not like Trung was not selected," coach Kim Sang Sik shared at a press conference on the afternoon of September 2.

Previously, at a technical meeting with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on the same morning, coach Kim Sang Sik decided to remove Vietnamese-American player Tran Thanh Trung from the list of registered players, reducing the number of players to 23.

"After the training sessions, Tran Thanh Trung showed very good football skills and determination for the national team. He will have a very bright future in the national teams. But as the head coach, I have to make a decision at this time. I met and talked with Trung privately, explaining to him. I believe Thanh Trung will perform well in future tournaments," Mr. Kim explained.

Tran Thanh Trung, born in 2005, is one of the youngest and most potential players of U23 Vietnam. He just returned to the country 1 month ago and is trying to integrate into the domestic environment at Ninh Binh Club.

Although showing good professional skills and quality, Thanh Trung is still temporarily considered a "reserve" of U23 Vietnam.

On September 3, U23 Vietnam will enter the first match of Group C of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers against U23 Bangladesh. Coach Kim said that he and his colleagues encountered many difficulties in studying this opponent.

"We had a little trouble finding quality video of our opponent Bangladesh, but it seems Yemen is the toughest opponent in this qualifier," said coach Kim.

When asked about the health of the players, the Korean strategist said that at this time, U23 Vietnam has the best force, no player is injured, except Khuat Van Khang. However, Khang only has a slight pain, does not have any major problems, and can play in the match against Bangladesh.

Coach Kim Sang Sik also sent his congratulations to Vietnamese fans on the special holiday: "Congratulations to the Vietnamese people on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day September 2. This will be the motivation for Vietnamese players to compete in the U23 Asian qualifiers this time."

U23 Vietnam will meet U23 Bangladesh at 7:00 p.m. on September 3 at Viet Tri Stadium within the framework of Group C of the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers.

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NGOC LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-noi-ly-do-gach-ten-cau-thu-viet-kieu-tran-thanh-trung-202509021753276.htm