Revealing the U.23 Vietnam squad: Who is the starter, who is the reserve?

U.23 Vietnam's defense takes shape

U.23 Vietnam has completed 2 tactical training sessions and assembled the squad in Indonesia to prepare for the campaign to defend the Southeast Asian title.

Since his training in Ho Chi Minh City, Coach Kim Sang-sik has shaped the ball control style of play, deploying sequential pressing and quick counterattacks. The Korean coach wants to "turn the Rubik's Rubik" with flexible tactics, so that U.23 Vietnam becomes multifaceted and unpredictable.

Revealing the U.23 Vietnam squad: Who is the main player, who is the reserve? - Photo 1.

U.23 Vietnam has 2 days left to prepare for the opening match - PHOTO: VFF

That's about tactics. As for personnel, Mr. Kim always "hides" the troops, not rushing to finalize the framework to create a fierce competitive atmosphere in all positions until the departure date. However, when the opening match is only 2 days away for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team, U.23 Vietnam will soon form the strongest squad. The experienced players will have the upper hand, thanks to their fighting spirit to withstand the pressure.

In goal, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is the number one choice. Trung Kien has been "tested" in the V-League with 24 matches this season. Besides his ability to save penalties, the 1.91 m tall goalkeeper has good reflexes, the ability to enter and exit, make judgments and command the defense.

Coach Kim Sang-sik discovered Trung Kien's ability to bring him to the Vietnam national team for training in November 2024, then put his name on the list for the AFF Cup. 3 weeks of training with goalkeeper coach Lee Woon-jae, the best goalkeeper in Korean football history, was also a valuable asset for Trung Kien to accumulate. The HAGL goalkeeper was favored by Mr. Kim to teach him how to judge, read situations, and communicate with the defense. The U.23 Southeast Asian tournament will be a springboard for Trung Kien to break out, overcome the "young" label and truly mature.

Among the three central defenders, Pham Ly Duc, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Nguyen Nhat Minh have significant advantages. Ly Duc was promoted to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang-sik in March and played in the match against Malaysia a month ago. The central defender born in 2003 has a fiery spirit, the ability to compete and the ability to score goals.

Complementing Ly Duc is Nhat Minh, a central defender who has played 33 matches in the V-League in the last two seasons for Hai Phong Club. If Ly Duc is strong in pure defense, Nhat Minh has the ability to play with his feet and make good judgments. Being given the opportunity to play in the V-League alongside his senior Dang Van Toi by coach Chu Dinh Nghiem also helps Nhat Minh to have more experience than his teammates.

Revealing the U.23 Vietnam squad: Who is the main player, who is the reserve? - Photo 2.

Center back Nguyen Nhat Minh - PHOTO: VFF

As for Hieu Minh, the title of best young player in the first division is a launching pad for the 1.84 m "tower" to be trusted. Hieu Minh and Le Van Ha (both 1.84 m tall) are likely to be used alternately so that U.23 Vietnam can better defend against high balls.

Experienced midfield and attack

On the two wings, the starting position is hard to slip out of the hands of Khuat Van Khang (left wing) and Nguyen Phi Hoang (right wing).

Van Khang has experience playing for the U.20, U.23 and national team levels from 2022 to present. The runner of The Cong Viettel is a well-rounded player with speed, technique, dribbling ability, leadership qualities, and an extremely "strange" free kick. After Nguyen Bao Long stops, there is probably no one more suitable on the left wing than Van Khang.

On the right wing, Phi Hoang impressed in a friendly tournament in China in March. The player on the Da Nang roster has good tactical thinking and creates many interesting attacking solutions.

The midfield will likely belong to the duo who are used to "eating the national team's rice", including Nguyen Van Truong and Nguyen Thai Son. If Thai Son is a durable "sweeper" with steady runs and good tracking, Van Truong has good tactical thinking, vision and the ability to move the ball up the line.

Revealing the U.23 Vietnam squad: Who is the main player, who is the reserve? - Photo 3.

Le Viktor (red shirt) and Van Truong have a good chance of starting - PHOTO: VFF

Up front, Nguyen Quoc Viet, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Le Viktor can be trusted, creating an interesting attacking trio with full qualities, able to interchange positions.

On the bench, Nguyen Ngoc My is capable of becoming a "card up his sleeve" for coach Kim Sang-sik to create a breakthrough.

U.23 Vietnam is ready for the championship journey.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lo-dien-bo-khung-u23-viet-nam-ai-da-chinh-ai-du-phong-185250716200136844.htm