The U23 team's "dual objective"

VHO - The Vietnam U23 team reunited in Hanoi yesterday, March 17th, with 30 players to prepare for the CFA Team China - Xi'an 2026 International Football Tournament, which will take place from March 25th to 31st in Xi'an city (China).

This tournament will be a great opportunity for young players to showcase their talents. It's also a chance for the coaching staff to continue building a pool of talent for the national teams, while simultaneously reviewing and evaluating the squad in preparation for the 20th Asian Games.

The trip to Xi'an will provide valuable experiences for the young Vietnamese players. Photo: VFF

Opportunities for young players

The list of 30 players called up for this tournament shows a clear continuation of the generation of players who have matured from the national youth teams such as U19, U20, and U23. Many familiar faces from the recent 2026 AFC U23 Championship are being given another opportunity to gain more international experience. In goal, the two young goalkeepers Pham Dinh Hai and Cao Van Binh are expected to have the chance to showcase their abilities when facing strong opponents. In attack, names like Nguyen Cong Phuong and Le Van Thuan continue to be trusted thanks to their experience gained from previous international youth tournaments.

Besides familiar faces, the coaching staff also boldly gave opportunities to many new talents. The appearance of players such as Nguyen Quoc Toan, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Tran Hai Anh, Nguyen Trong Son, Ta Xuan Truong, and Vu Quoc Anh brings a "fresh breeze" to the Vietnam U23 team. Most of these players are performing outstandingly for their clubs in the domestic league and are considered promising talents for the future.

The combination of experienced players from the national youth level with new faces promises to create a positive competitive atmosphere within the team. This is also what the coaching staff hopes for as they aim to build a young, ambitious, and deep squad.

The tournament in Xi'an is not just a test run for the team, but also a valuable opportunity for young players to gain experience against quality opponents. At the tournament, the Vietnam U23 team will have the chance to face teams with different skill levels and playing styles, such as China, Thailand, and North Korea, thereby helping the young players accumulate more match experience.

With many young players eager to prove themselves, the tournament in Xi'an will undoubtedly be a stage for them to showcase their abilities. If they make good use of this opportunity, many players could impress the coaching staff and get closer to a place in the national team.

Aiming for a “dual objective”

Participating in the CFA Team China - Xi'an 2026 is not just an international tour for the Vietnam U23 team, but also holds significant importance in the strategy of developing the next generation of players for Vietnamese football. With many key players from previous U23 teams having either passed the age limit or been promoted to the senior national team, this training camp is seen as the beginning of a new cycle of building a new force.

The tournament in Xi'an therefore serves a "dual purpose" for the Vietnam U23 team. Firstly, it's an opportunity for the coaching staff to test and evaluate the abilities of young players in an international competition environment. Secondly, the matches in the tournament are also seen as a chance to discover more outstanding talents, thereby supplementing the resources for the national teams in the future.

Over the years, international friendly tournaments have played a crucial role in the development of young players. Competing against opponents of varying skill levels and playing styles helps players gain experience, improve their confidence, and refine their professional skills. Therefore, the CFA Team China - Xi'an 2026 is expected to provide valuable lessons for the new generation of young Vietnamese football players.

Another important objective for the coaching staff is to review the squad, assess the form and adaptability of the players in preparation for this year's crucial task – the men's football tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in September in Japan. According to the team's plan, the core will be players born between 2005 and 2007, who are expected to become pillars of Vietnamese football in the near future.

Building the squad early will give the coaching staff time to thoroughly assess each position and create cohesion in their playing style. Therefore, matches in the tournament in Xi'an are not simply about winning or losing, but more importantly, they are opportunities for young players to showcase their abilities and establish their place in the team.

One notable point in this training camp is the change in the coaching staff. Assistant coach Dinh Hong Vinh continues to be entrusted by head coach Kim Sang-sik with the role of Acting Head Coach of the Vietnam U23 team. This is seen as a suitable move given that coach Kim Sang-sik is currently focusing on his duties with the national team.

Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's understanding of young players, as well as his extensive experience working with national youth teams, makes him a highly promising candidate for this period. Under his leadership, the Vietnam U23 team will have more opportunities to experiment with different lineups, giving many young players playing time and valuable experience.

With the goal of building a new generation of players for Vietnamese football, participation in the CFA Team China - Xi'an 2026 tournament is considered an important first step. If they make good use of the opportunity to gain experience at this tournament, many young players can make their mark, opening up hopes of becoming key players for Vietnamese football in the future, especially in preparation for the 20th Asian Games.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/muc-tieu-kep-cua-u23-212544.html