In preparation for the U23 Asian Cup 2024, the Vietnam U23 national team will play two friendly matches against the Tajikistan U23 team during the training camp in March.
The Vietnam U23 team will reconvene on March 12 with approximately 30 players being called up, coinciding with the Vietnam national team’s preparation for two matches against Indonesia in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team will train at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center until March 16, then travel to Tajikistan to play two friendly matches against the host’s U23 team on March 20 and March 23.
These matches serve as a warm-up for the Vietnam U23 team ahead of the U23 Asian Cup 2024, taking place from April 15 to May 3 in Qatar, where Vietnam U23 will face challenges from Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Malaysia in Group D. The invitation to play friendlies is also significant for Tajikistan as they prepare to face Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Thailand in Group C.
Due to head coach Philippe Troussier’s commitment to leading the Vietnam national team in two matches against Indonesia during the same period (the first leg on March 21 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and the second leg on March 26 at My Dinh National Stadium), Assistant Coach Moulay Lahsen will act as the Interim Head Coach of the Vietnam U23 team for the friendly matches against U23 Tajikistan.
Moulay Lahsen, a Moroccan national with a close relationship with Philippe Troussier since 2018, holds both AFC and FIFA coaching licenses. He has previously worked with Rudi Garcia, the former coach of AS Roma and Lyon, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s former coach at Al Nassr. Upon Troussier’s appointment as the head coach of the Vietnam national team, assistant coach Moulay Lahsen has been entrusted with significant responsibilities within the coaching staff.
The Vietnam Football Federation and the Football Federation of Tajikistan are currently finalizing details regarding the organization of the two friendly matches between the Vietnam U23 and Tajikistan U23 teams. Further information on the venue, match times, live broadcast plans, and other related matters will be updated soon.
Schedule for the friendly matches (Kickoff time will be confirm later):
Match 1: 20 March 2024
Match 2: 23 March 2024
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