On January 4, 2024, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) held a significant event at its headquarters to announce the appointment of Hoang Anh Tuan as the head coach of the U23 Vietnam national team for the upcoming 2024 AFC U23 Championship. This strategic decision is part of VFF’s meticulous planning for the esteemed tournament, aiming to bolster Vietnam’s position on the Asian football stage.
Hoang Anh Tuan, a seasoned tactician, has been an integral part of Vietnam’s youth football development, overseeing the selection and coaching of the national youth teams since 2022. Under his guidance, the U20 Vietnam team successfully qualified for the U20 AFC Championship in Uzbekistan in May 2023. More recently, in August 2023, Tuan led the U23 Vietnam team to clinch the championship title at the SEA Games, defeating U23 Indonesia in a thrilling final in Thailand. His historic achievement with the U19 Vietnam team, securing a top-four finish at the 2016 U19 AFC Championship and qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2027, alongside Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, has etched his name in the annals of Vietnamese football history.
Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi, General Secretary of the VFF, expressed confidence in Tuan’s capabilities, citing his extensive experience and proven track record in nurturing young talent for national duty. “The current U23 players have grown through the ranks under Coach Hoang Anh Tuan’s tutelage, from the U20 level onwards, participating in various regional and continental tournaments. This continuity is why the VFF has entrusted him with the responsibility of leading our U23 team at the upcoming AFC U23 Championship,” Khoi emphasized.In response, Coach Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his gratitude towards the VFF leadership for their trust and acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with the role. “It’s an honor, but also a significant responsibility.
My mission is to train these young players for the national team. With dedication and effort, I hope to enhance the quality of our young talents with each tournament, including the upcoming SEA Games, and foster positive development in their professional careers,” Tuan shared.The U23 Vietnam team is set to compete in Group D of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship in Qatar, alongside U23 teams from Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Malaysia.
The team will kick off their campaign against U23 Kuwait on April 17, followed by matches against U23 Malaysia and U23 Uzbekistan. In preparation, the team will commence training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center from April 5, 2024, and head to Qatar on April 8 for final preparations, including a friendly match against U23 Jordan on April 10.To gear up for the AFC U23 Championship, the U23 Vietnam team has been undergoing intensive training sessions alongside the national team during FIFA Days since 2023.
Most recently, during the March 2024 FIFA Days, they trained in Tajikistan and played two friendlies against U23 Tajikistan, securing a win and a draw. This comprehensive preparation underscores VFF’s commitment to ensuring the U23 team is well-equipped to make a significant impact at the upcoming continental showdown.
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