
Today, April 14, Vietnamese striker Bui Vi Hao shared his optimism about Vietnam’s chances in the upcoming AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024.
Positioned in Group D, the U23 Vietnam team faces Kuwait on April 17, Malaysia on April 20, and the formidable Uzbekistan on April 23. Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his squad are focused on advancing past the group stage.
Before training on April 13, Vi Hao expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, indicating that the initial matches against Kuwait and Malaysia are perceived as manageable challenges. “Both of our first opponents are within our reach. We are in high spirits and committed to delivering the best outcomes in these matches. I am hopeful that we will score plenty of goals,” he stated.
The Vietnam U23 team, initially coached by Philippe Troussier, saw a change in leadership after Troussier’s departure following consecutive losses to Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Hoang Anh Tuan, stepping in as the new coach, led the team to Qatar a week before the championship to acclimatize to the local time zone and weather conditions. The team recently moved to a new hotel and began training at Al Erssal stadium, thanks to arrangements by the Asian Football Confederation.
During the latest training sessions, Coach Tuan emphasized improving team coordination and encouraged his players to seize scoring opportunities. Vi Hao, a 21-year-old key player for both his club, Binh Duong, and the national team, mentioned that the team has reached “98% of their preparation” and is focusing on enhancing their tactical execution.
The young forward, valued at 200,000 euros by Transfermarkt, is the highest-rated Vietnamese player participating in the tournament. He recalls the memories of the 2018 championship in Changzhou, China, under Coach Park Hang-seo, where Vietnam reached the finals and faced Uzbekistan. Despite a narrow 1-2 loss in extra time, that tournament marked a significant achievement for Vietnamese football.
As U23 Vietnam prepares for their first match, the spirit within the camp is buoyant, and the team is eager to replicate or surpass past successes, starting with their upcoming games in Group D.
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