Hanoi, 14 July, 2025 – On the morning of July 14, the U23 Vietnam national team officially departed for Indonesia to kick off their campaign at the AFF U23 Championship 2025.
Departing from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9:55 AM on flight VN631, the team led by head coach Kim Sang Sik is expected to arrive in Jakarta at 1:00 PM (local time), after a three-hour journey. Accompanying the South Korean coach are the 23 selected players who earned their spots after an intensive three-week training period.
During this preparation phase, the U23 squad played two friendly matches against U23 Chinese Taipei. Following a series of evaluations, coach Kim Sang Sik reduced the squad from 35 players to 28, before finalizing his 23-man roster on July 12.
Upon arrival, the team will rest and complete immigration procedures before heading to their first training session later in the afternoon. Nguyen Dinh Bac and his teammates will have six days to prepare for their tournament opener against U23 Laos, scheduled for 5:00 PM on July 19. In Group B, U23 Vietnam is also set to face U23 Cambodia on July 22 at 8:00 PM.
All matches featuring U23 Vietnam at the AFF U23 Championship will be broadcast live on FPT Play. The team enters the tournament as two-time defending champions, having won the title in both 2022 and 2023. Vietnam is currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the competition, with notable victories over U23 Thailand (1-0 twice in 2022), U23 Malaysia (4-1 in the 2023 semifinals), and U23 Indonesia (a goalless draw followed by a penalty shootout win in the 2023 final).
Coach Kim Sang Sik emphasized that the team will approach the tournament with full concentration and a disciplined mindset.
“Winning consecutive championships is a proud achievement, but we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on the players. Football is a team sport, and I always value collective spirit and discipline. I encourage the players to view this tournament as a valuable opportunity for growth and development, rather than solely focusing on results. I believe success will come as a natural outcome of that process,” said coach Kim.
He also highlighted that this tournament serves as a crucial stepping stone for evaluating the squad ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and SEA Games 33. Within the next six months, U23 Vietnam will compete in three major tournaments, all of which will involve stiff competition from regional powerhouses such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
“The AFF U23 Championship offers the coaching staff a chance to assess individual capabilities and identify ideal tactical combinations. For young players, it is also an excellent opportunity to gain international experience,” coach Kim concluded.
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