Hanoi, 19 March 2026 – The presence of Antonio Moric in the U23 Vietnam training camp has drawn significant attention—not only because of his strong European background, but also due to how quickly he has adapted. In the latest training session, the Vietnamese-Croatian youngster shared his thoughts on the experience.
Currently playing for NK Trnje (Croatia), Moric is one of the most closely watched players in the U23 Vietnam setup. Having been promoted from the U19 squad, he is now being assessed in a more demanding, higher-level environment. According to the plan, he will return to U19 Vietnam once the U23 team departs for China to compete in the CFA Team China 2026 tournament.
“I feel very proud and happy to wear the Vietnam national team jersey,” Moric said with a relaxed smile—speaking fluent Vietnamese, which further impressed observers.
When asked about his favorite Vietnamese players, Moric revealed he has followed U23 Vietnam closely, especially their performance at the AFC U23 Asian Cup. He recalled the third-place match against South Korea, where Vietnam won on penalties, highlighting goalkeeper Cao Van Binh’s decisive save. However, his favorite player is Nguyen Dinh Bac: “He has excellent qualities based on what he has shown at Hanoi Police FC. I’ve watched him play in V.League 1, and I think he’s a very good player. We have a similar playing style since we both operate as wingers.”
Moric also spoke about Croatian legend Luka Modric, calling him one of his favorite players and praising his leadership and endurance. He expressed hope that Modric will feature at the 2026 World Cup.
As of March 19, Moric has completed three training sessions with U23 Vietnam. He admitted facing some minor challenges, particularly fatigue after a long journey from Europe: “I feel a bit tired from the travel, but I’m just happy to be on the pitch.”
The 2008-born winger said he has quickly adapted to the coaching staff’s demands: “I understand the instructions well and always give 100% in training. My Vietnamese is not perfect yet, so sometimes communication can be a bit difficult.”
Comparing training intensity, Moric noted similarities at the U19 level but pointed out that U23 Vietnam operates at a higher intensity. This reflects the improving standards in Vietnam’s youth football system. However, he emphasized that playing against senior players in Europe presents a completely different level of challenge: “Facing players over 23 is very different. The physicality and experience change everything.”
Despite positive impressions, Moric openly acknowledged the gap between European football and V.League 1: “The difference is quite big, from individual quality to tactical thinking.”
For now, he believes continuing his career in Europe is the best path for his development: “At the moment, staying in Europe is the best option for me. But you never know—if the time is right, I may return in the future.”
During this training camp, Moric has been deployed as a winger and is working hard to prove himself in a more competitive environment. He remains optimistic: “I think everything will be fine. After a few small issues, I’ve started to settle in well with the team.”
VSN/RPT
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