The "giant" factor in the defense
In defense, there are two exceptionally well-built center-backs who have yet to appear in the U.23 Southeast Asian Championship or the 2026 U.23 Asian Qualifiers. Both of these center-backs are currently playing for HAGL FC. The first is the "giant" Dinh Quang Kiet (1.95 m). This center-back has been tested in several friendly matches for the Vietnam U.23 team in recent months, showing that coach Kim Sang-sik highly values the potential of the center-back currently playing for HAGL FC.
Center-back Dinh Quang Kiet (third from the right) possesses an excellent physique.
Photo: HAGL FC
Quang Kiet is still quite young, only 18 years old. However, he is already in his second season playing in the V-League. Dinh Quang Kiet's experience is steadily improving. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Trieu is a tactical option at HAGL Club. This player is 1.88m tall, also among the tallest domestic central defenders.
Every time he was brought on as a substitute for Quang Kiet or foreign center-back Jairo, Nguyen Van Trieu always fulfilled his nhiệm vụ. For example, in the match between HAGL FC and The Cong Viettel in round 8 of the V-League on the evening of October 26th, Nguyen Van Trieu came on as a substitute for the injured Dinh Quang Kiet, and Nguyen Van Trieu contributed to HAGL repelling The Cong Viettel's attacks, helping the team from the mountainous region secure a victory.
If Quang Kiet and Van Trieu are both called up to the Vietnam U23 team for the SEA Games 33 in December this year and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals in January next year, the Vietnam U23 defense will have a very impressive physique. With Quang Kiet, Van Trieu, plus Hieu Minh (1.84 m), Le Van Ha (1.84 m), and Pham Ly Duc (1.82 m), the Vietnam U23 defense will not be inferior in terms of physique compared to any team in these tournaments. Then, aerial balls will no longer be a disadvantage, but will become an advantage for us.
The Vietnamese U.23 attack has a new addition.
Up front, there's a striker who wasn't included in the Vietnam U23 squad that won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, but has been performing quite well recently in the V-League: Dinh Xuan Tien. This player can play well in two positions: attacking midfielder or withdrawn striker.
Dinh Xuan Tien (10) is ready to return to the Vietnam U.23 team.
Photo: Ngoc Duong
Dinh Xuan Tien doesn't have a physical advantage, standing at only 1.67m tall. However, he compensates with excellent speed and technique, keen tactical awareness, and good finishing ability. Xuan Tien also has considerable international experience, having been a member of the Vietnam U23 team that won the Southeast Asian U23 Championship in 2023 under coach Hoang Anh Tuan.
If Dinh Xuan Tien plays alongside attacking players like Dinh Bac, Ngoc My, Thanh Nhan, etc., he can provide strong support for these players, as well as increase the diversity of attacks for the Vietnam U.23 team.
The increasing number of personnel options available to the Vietnam U23 team will enhance the team's competitiveness, motivating players to strive for continuous improvement. Simultaneously, this will broaden coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical options, making the Vietnam U23 team more unpredictable at the SEA Games 33 and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-goi-trung-ve-cao-195-m-va-tien-dao-167-m-tai-sao-khong-185251027010149445.htm
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