Vietnam U23 suffers a major setback.

(NLĐO) - Before even playing their first match in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, the Vietnamese U23 team has already suffered a loss of players due to injuries.

During the Vietnamese U23 team's training session on the evening of July 16th, after an unbalanced landing, striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan suffered a serious injury and had to leave the session midway.

The player's MRI results showed damage to the ligaments in his left ankle, and he will not be able to recover in time to participate in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.

This is not the first time the young striker has missed important matches and tournaments due to injury. Previously, Thanh Nhàn had to miss the 2023 Asian Cup, was unable to play in the bronze medal match at the 32nd SEA Games, and most recently, was unable to participate in the 2024 AFC U23 Championship.

To reinforce the squad in time, coach Kim Sang-sik decided to recall versatile midfielder Le Van Thuan. The South Korean coach also expressed his regret and encouraged Thanh Nhan to return to her country for the best possible treatment and recovery.

Thanh Nhàn bids farewell to the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship early.

Le Van Thuan, born in 2006, is one of the young players who graduated from the Dong A Thanh Hoa youth academy. In the 2024-2025 season, Van Thuan was promoted to the first team of the Thanh Hoa club to play in the V-League and left a strong impression with 16 appearances, scoring 4 goals and contributing 2 assists, thereby receiving the title of "Best Young Player of the V-League 2024-2025".

With his impressive performances, Le Van Thuan was called up to the Vietnam U23 team in preparation for the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers, and the 33rd SEA Games. However, in the final list of 23 players, Van Thuan was not included.

Thanh Nhàn's unfortunate injury is a great loss for the player personally, but it opens up an opportunity for the 18-year-old midfielder from Dong A Thanh Hoa to rejoin the national team, ready to take on the role of representing Vietnam U23 in this year's regional tournament.

According to the plan, Van Thuan will arrive in Jakarta on July 18th.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/u23-viet-nam-gap-ton-that-lon-196250717163231554.htm