Hoang Anh Tuan, the newly appointed head coach for Vietnam’s U23 football team, shared vital insights into the team’s selection and preparation for the AFC U23 Championship 2024, during an official announcement by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on March 28, 2024.
Despite his rich experience in coaching various youth teams within Vietnamese football, Tuan highlighted a unique challenge he faces this time: he does not have the autonomy to select the squad. The list for the upcoming U23 Vietnam team was primarily chosen by his predecessor, Philippe Troussier, and submitted to AFC. “The list wasn’t entirely my selection. I can only choose the best players from this list, even if I wanted to add others. Players I favor, like midfielder Đức Việt, forward Võ Nguyên Hoàng, and center-back Mạnh Hưng, aren’t on the preliminary list,” Tuan expressed.
To assess the form and fitness of the players listed, the coaching staff plans to observe their performance in the upcoming 14th round of the V-League 2023-2024 season before making final selections. “We will divide and conquer this weekend to see how the preliminarily registered players perform in their V-League matches before deciding,” Tuan told the press.
With the AFC U23 Championship 2024 fast approaching, Tuan is eager to hit the ground running. “After the VFF appointment, I had to immediately plan and review the list. The coaching staff met to prepare since the team will gather on April 5 and head to Qatar for training by April 8,” he stated.
Tuan also touched on the challenges of maintaining form and morale, especially after the national team’s recent defeats. Many U23 team members were part of these matches, which has significantly impacted their spirits. “We aim to prepare well, foster determination and unity, and lift the spirits of our young players. Overcoming the national team’s setbacks is crucial for their performance,” Tuan emphasized.
As Vietnam’s U23 team prepares for the AFC U23 Championship 2024, Tuan’s focus on unity, spirit, and strategic preparation highlights his commitment to leading the young squad towards success on the continental stage.
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