Nguyen Filip and Cong Phuong return to the Vietnam national team to prepare for the match against Malaysia

Coach Kim Sang Sik has announced the list of the Vietnamese team for the second training session in 2025. Photo: VFF

This time, the list of 23 players is still comprised of experienced players who are also key players in the journey to win the ASEAN Cup 2024 championship of the Vietnamese team. Typical players include goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, defenders Do Duy Manh, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Van Vi; midfield with Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Hoang Duc; and attack with Pham Tuan Hai and Nguyen Tien Linh.

Nguyen Filip returns after a period of absence due to family reasons. Photo: CAHN Club

In addition to the established squad, Coach Kim Sang Sik also created conditions for new players and recorded some promising returns. Most notably, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, this defender will have his first time wearing the national team jersey after officially becoming a Vietnamese citizen since last March. In the goalkeeping position, Nguyen Filip returns after being absent from the most recent training session due to family reasons. Quang Vinh and Nguyen Filip are also in very good form for the Hanoi Police Club, especially at the 2024-2025 Southeast Asian Club Championship when they reached the final with their home team, with a strong performance.

Striker Cong Phuong's return to the Vietnam national team is good news for fans. Photo: VFF

Another face that has attracted much attention on the list of players called up is Nguyen Cong Phuong. This veteran striker will make his return to the national team after nearly two years, since his last appearance in a friendly match against Palestine in September 2023. Cong Phuong is showing good form when leading the scoring list in the 2024-2025 National First Division with 7 goals for Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc Club.

However, the team's roster this time also recorded some unfortunate absences due to injuries and recovery, including strikers Nguyen Xuan Son, Bui Vi Hao, midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan and defender Ho Tan Tai. In addition, striker Nguyen Van Toan also missed the team this time due to a relapse of his injury while playing in the V.League for the Nam Dinh Steel Club. Most recently, defender Vu Van Thanh was injured after the second leg of the final of the 2024-2025 Southeast Asian Club Championship and could not reunite with his teammates.

According to plan, the Vietnamese team will gather again in Hanoi on May 29, with all the players called up, including members of the Hanoi Police Club.

Despite the schedule of the 20th round of V.League on June 3, the club is still committed to providing the best force for the national team, demonstrating the spirit of unity towards the common goal, contributing to helping the team achieve the best results in the upcoming important match in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

It is expected that on June 6, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team will travel to Malaysia and have three more days of training, getting used to the weather and field conditions before entering the match against host Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. This match is of "pivotal" significance in the race for the top spot in Group F, which means a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.