Viet Tri, 2 September, 2025 – On the eve of Vietnam U23’s opening match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, head coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed that the omission of overseas Vietnamese midfielder Tran Thanh Trung from the final squad list is only temporary, emphasizing that the player remains part of the team’s long-term plans.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on September 2, coach Kim explained his decision: “The regulations only allow us to register 23 players, so I had to leave one out. After careful consideration, I decided to exclude Tran Thanh Trung. However, this does not mean he lacks quality.”
Born in 2005, Tran Thanh Trung attracted attention when he was once listed among the top three young talents in Bulgarian football and is currently valued at around €400,000 (approximately 12 billion VND). His absence from the official squad has therefore left many fans disappointed.
Coach Kim revealed that he had a private conversation with Thanh Trung to explain the situation clearly, assuring the young midfielder that his chance will come. “Thanh Trung has solid fundamentals and a strong competitive spirit. He is a talented player and will be a valuable addition to Vietnam U23 in the future. During training sessions, he showed great determination and a strong desire to contribute to the team,” the Korean tactician added.
Looking ahead to the qualifiers, Kim Sang-sik expressed confidence in the squad’s current strength. He also provided an update on captain Khuat Van Khang, who has been dealing with a minor muscle strain but is expected to be fit for the opening match against Bangladesh. “Vietnam U23 has analyzed all the opponents. Singapore and Bangladesh are relatively less familiar, while Yemen is the toughest challenge. Still, our focus is on taking each game step by step, with the target of winning all three matches,” he stressed.
Vietnam U23 will play all their Group C matches at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho from September 3 to September 9. The top team of each group, along with the four best second-placed teams, will advance to the finals in Saudi Arabia in January 2026.
Coach Kim also highlighted the significance of competing during Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebrations, describing it as a powerful source of motivation. “This is an inspiring occasion for the whole team to play with the highest determination. Vietnam U23 just won the ASEAN U23 Championship in July, which was an important morale boost heading into this tournament. We hope the fans will once again fill Viet Tri Stadium to push the players forward,” he emphasized.
With a blend of experienced young stars and emerging talents, Vietnam U23 is aiming to continue their regional dominance and secure a spot at the continental finals.
Hong Phuc
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