Ho Chi Minh. 12 July, 2025 – Coach Kim Sang Sik officially announced the final 23-man squad of the Vietnam U23 national team for the upcoming 2025 AFF U23 Championship.
Five players were left out of the final list, including goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai, defenders Nguyen Hong Phuc and Ho Van Cuong, midfielder Nguyen Duc Viet, and forward Bui Alex. Earlier, Coach Kim had trimmed the squad from 35 to 28 players after two friendly matches against Chinese Taipei U23.
Despite praising the commitment and serious attitude shown by all players during training, the Korean tactician explained that tournament regulations only allow a maximum of 23 registered players, forcing the coaching staff to make the most optimal selection based on role, position, and current form.
Among the players dropped, Vietnamese-Czech striker Bui Alex received significant attention. The youngster, currently playing for the youth team of Bohemians Praha 1905 in the Czech Republic’s third division, showed promise in his first-ever call-up to the Vietnam U23 side.
Being retained until the final squad decision is considered a positive first step in Bui Alex’s international journey, and he is expected to remain in contention for future call-ups.
According to the schedule, the Vietnam U23 team will depart for Indonesia on the morning of July 14 to participate in the 2025 AFF U23 Championship, taking place from July 15 to 29. In the group stage, Vietnam is drawn into Group B alongside U23 Laos and U23 Cambodia, with matches set for July 19 and 22.
Having claimed the title in the past two consecutive editions, Vietnam U23 enters the tournament as defending champions and is under high expectations from fans to retain their crown. However, Coach Kim has emphasized a grounded approach.
“It’s an honor to win back-to-back championships, but we don’t want to place too much pressure on the players,” Kim stated. “Football is a team sport, and I always value collective discipline and unity. I encourage players to see this tournament as an opportunity for growth and development, rather than focusing solely on results. Success, in my opinion, will naturally follow from that process.”
He added that the tournament will also serve as a key test for evaluating players ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the upcoming SEA Games. “This competition gives the coaching staff a chance to assess each player’s ability and identify tactical combinations that build cohesion. For the young players, it’s a precious opportunity to gain international experience.”
Vietnam U23’s title defense begins with renewed focus and a strategic eye on long-term development as they head into the 2025 edition of the regional championship.
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