Hanoi, 25 August – Vietnam’s U18 national team has officially gathered today, August 25, at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in Hanoi to begin preparations for the upcoming International Friendly Tournament in South Korea. The competition, which will be held in Seoul from September 21 to 28, promises to be a valuable test for the young Golden Star Warriors against strong regional opponents.
A total of 32 players have been called up for this training camp. Among them are several familiar names who featured at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025, including goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin, defenders Nguyen Hong Quang and Le Tan Dung, midfielders Dau Hong Phong and Nguyen Van Khanh, as well as forwards Hoang Trong Duy Khang, Nguyen Van Bach, and Nguyen Thien Phu. Their presence provides stability and international experience to the squad.
However, the team does not yet feature the very best talents of this age group. Several standout players are missing due to injuries or commitments with their clubs in V.League 1, V.League 2, or ongoing youth competitions at the national level. This gives other rising prospects the opportunity to step up and impress on the international stage.
Leading the U18 team will be Japanese coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, who signed with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in February 2025. Ikeuchi, a highly experienced football figure, previously served as Technical Advisor for the Vietnam U17 team at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025. With his background in youth development in Japan and extensive coaching credentials, his leadership is expected to bring a disciplined, technical approach to Vietnam’s young talents.
According to the training plan, the U18 squad will train in Hanoi until September 19 before departing for Seoul. The tournament will feature eight quality teams: Vietnam U18, Seoul FA (a selection of the best U18 players in Seoul), K League U18 All-Stars, Gangneung Jungang High School (current Korean high school champions), Kanto University (Japan), Johor Darul Ta’zim U18 (Malaysia), Buriram United U18 (Thailand), and Zhejiang U18 (China).
This international event is designed not only to sharpen the players’ tactical awareness and match fitness but also to provide them with exposure to different playing styles from across Asia. Competing against elite academies and national youth teams will be an important step in preparing Vietnam’s next generation of footballers for future continental tournaments, including the AFC U19 Asian Cup qualifiers in 2026.
With a blend of promising talent, rigorous training, and the guidance of coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, Vietnam U18 enters the Korea tournament with ambition and determination. While results are important, the focus will be on building a cohesive team and giving young players the opportunity to grow, laying the foundation for future success on the international stage.
Dang Long
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