As the anticipation builds for the upcoming U23 Asian Cup 2024 set to take place in Qatar from April 15 to May 3, Vietnam’s U23 national team has sparked interest with the announcement of its squad by Head Coach Hoang Anh Tuan on April 1, 2024. The list of 28 players called up reflects a strategic blend of experience and emerging talent, signaling Vietnam’s ambition not only for the immediate tournament but also for future international fixtures.
The selected squad showcases a majority of players who have journeyed with Coach Tuan through various youth levels—from U17 to U19/U20 and, most notably, the U23 team that triumphed at the 2023 SEA Games. This continuity signifies a deep understanding and trust between the players and the coaching staff, an essential ingredient for building team cohesion and executing strategic game plans. Among the called-up players, notable names such as goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, defender Phan Tuan Tai, midfielders Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thai Son, and striker Nguyen Dinh Bac have already donned the national colors at significant tournaments like the 2023 Asian Cup and the World Cup 2026 qualifiers for Asia, reflecting the blend of experience and youth in the squad.
Adding to the seasoned campaigners is a fresh face, defender Nguyen Thanh Khai from SHB Da Nang, exemplifying the coaching staff’s effort to integrate new talent and fortify the team’s backbone. This approach is in line with the Vietnam Football Federation’s (VFF) broader strategy of parallel development for the youth and senior national teams, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent is available for national duties.
Vietnam’s U23 team finds itself in Group D alongside Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Malaysia—a challenging but navigable path for the young Golden Stars. The campaign kicks off against Kuwait on April 17, followed by matches against Malaysia and Uzbekistan. These fixtures are not just battles for supremacy in Asia but also pivotal in securing a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the top three teams earning direct qualification and the fourth-place team facing an African counterpart in a playoff for an additional spot.
The team’s preparation for this critical journey begins on April 5, 2024, at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, although a slight delay to April 6 is expected due to the V.League schedule. A short domestic training stint will precede the team’s departure to Qatar on April 8, with a preparatory match against Jordan’s U23 team scheduled for April 10 to fine-tune tactics and team cohesion.
The U23 Asian Cup 2024 is more than a tournament for Vietnam; it’s an opportunity to benchmark the progress of its football development program and to showcase the potential of Vietnamese football on the Asian stage. With a blend of experienced warriors and ambitious young talents, Coach Hoang Anh Tuan’s team is poised not just to compete but to make a significant impact, underscoring the bright future of Vietnamese football.
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