After over three weeks of intense training, the Vietnam U16 national team is finalizing their preparations and is ready to participate in the 2024 ASEAN U16 Championship. Before their departure, the coaching staff has selected a final squad of 23 players who will travel to Indonesia.
Captain and central defender Le Huy Viet Anh shared his thoughts on the team’s goals for the upcoming tournament: “The whole team is determined to show our best spirit for the upcoming competition. The hot weather poses a bit of a challenge, but we complete our training sessions, which last 1.5 to 2 hours, according to the coaching staff’s plan.
“We are confident and carrying a strong spirit into the tournament. We do not know much about our opponents’ play styles, and they do not know ours. We step into the competition with the determination to bring the cup home for our country and are preparing with the best mindset.”
The 2024 ASEAN U16 Championship will take place in Surakarta, Indonesia, from June 21 to July 4, 2024. The teams will play a single round-robin format in each group to determine the rankings. The top three teams from each group and the best runner-up across all groups will advance to the semifinals. Vietnam U16 has previously won the ASEAN U16 Championship three times, and another victory this year would make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
According to the draw results, Vietnam U16 is in Group B alongside Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei. The team will play their opening match against U16 Brunei at 15:00 on June 22, followed by a match against U16 Cambodia at 19:30 on June 25, and will conclude the group stage with a match against U16 Myanmar at 15:00 on June 28.
Coach Tran Minh Chien expressed optimism about the team’s preparation and readiness. “We have had three weeks to get ready for the tournament. The weather in Hanoi has been quite harsh, but the entire coaching staff and players are united in overcoming these challenges. In Indonesia, we have two group stage matches at 15:00, so acclimatizing to the conditions is crucial. We conducted a practice match at 15:00 yesterday to simulate the conditions we will face in Indonesia, and the players responded well,” said Coach Chien.
The U16 Vietnam team will depart for Indonesia on June 20, aiming to bring home the trophy and further their legacy in ASEAN youth football. The final squad of 23 players reflects the careful selection process of the coaching staff, balancing talent and readiness for the rigors of the competition.
Vietnamese football fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance and are hopeful for a triumphant campaign in Indonesia.
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