Newcomers called up for U23 squad

Giving a chance to newcomers, coach Toshiya Miura named 23 new faces in a 30-member national U23 team for the South Korean Asian Games (ASIAD) in September.

The Japanese manager brought in four goalkeepers, seven defenders, 15 midfielders and four strikers.


Most of them are not very well-known among Vietnamese fans. However, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation, they are all potential players who would be the future of Viet Nam football, although they still need to train hard.

These players will also form the team which would compete in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore next June.

Only seven players who used to play for the team previously including goalkeeper Tran Buu Ngoc and overseas Vietnamese Mac Hong Quan, were summoned this time. They all played at last year's SEA Games in Myanmar.

The experienced ones, who played at their peak for their clubs, are expected to help their new teammates overcome pressure and nervousness on their international debut.

Former V-League champions Song Lam Nghe An contributed the maximum number of seven players to the U23s.

Ha Noi FC and Ha Noi T&T sent five and four, respectively. The rest come from seven different teams, both V-League and V-League 2.

Miura, who will be assisted by four Vietnamese trainers, will see his players on Sunday at the National Youth Football Training Centre in Ha Noi.