As part of the preparation for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games, the Vietnam U22 national team will hold its first training camp of 2024, with a total of 35 players called up. This training camp, set to run from August 13 to August 17, 2024, aims primarily to allow head coach Kim Sang-sik to review and assess the abilities of players within the U21/U22 age group, ensuring the team is well-prepared for upcoming challenges.
Among the 35 players selected, familiar names who have regularly featured in the U23 Vietnam squad, such as Khuat Van Khang, Ho Van Cuong, Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Hong Phuc, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet, and Bui Vi Hao, have been included. Additionally, Coach Kim Sang-sik has provided opportunities for several younger talents from the U20 age group, including Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Gia Bao, Nguyen Bao Long, Quach Quang Huy, Trinh Long Vu, Mai Quoc Tu, Nguyen Manh Hung, Nguyen Quoc Khanh, goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, and Pham Dinh Hai.
The coaching staff for this camp will consist of both South Korean and Vietnamese experts. Alongside his compatriots Choi Won Kwon, Nam Gung Do, and Yoon Dong Hun, Coach Kim Sang-sik will receive valuable support from experienced Vietnamese assistants, including Dinh Hong Vinh, Phan Nhu Thuat, and goalkeeping coach Tran Minh Quang.
Following the conclusion of this first training camp, the U19/U20 players will shift focus to training with the Vietnam U20 national team in preparation for the 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Vietnam U22 team will hold another training camp at the end of August 2024. During this period, the team, consisting mainly of U21 players, will participate in the International U21 Football Tournament organized by the Chinese Football Association. This tournament will take place in Changsha from September 2 to September 10, 2024, featuring teams from Vietnam, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, and host China.
This early preparation is crucial as Vietnam aims to build a strong and competitive squad capable of making a significant impact in the upcoming regional and continental tournaments. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s approach of integrating both seasoned and young talents into the squad reflects a strategic vision for long-term success. Fans will be keenly watching the progress of these training camps, which mark the beginning of Vietnam’s journey towards the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and SEA Games 33.
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