2 players of Song Lam Nghe An Club were called up to the National Team on the occasion of FIFA Days in October
(Baonghean.vn) - Head coach Philippe Troussier continues to give opportunities to many outstanding young faces during the FIFA Days gathering in October of the Vietnamese team, including defender Ho Van Cuong and goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet of Song Lam Nghe An Club.
As part of the team building plan for the second qualifying round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Asia, coach Philippe Troussier has selected 33 players for the Vietnam team's FIFA Days in October, of which U23 players account for nearly half.
These players are all faces who have gone through a long process of working with the French coach and have also affirmed their ability to meet the professional requirements of the coaching staff. Continuing to give opportunities to young players to participate in the national team is considered not only to ensure continuity in their development process, but also to maintain positive competition in the team's lineup as well as create stability in the force to aim for key goals in the following years.
This is also clearly shown through the even distribution of young U23 players in the lines, including Nguyen Van Viet in the goalkeeper position; Luong Duy Cuong, Phan Tuan Tai, Ho Van Cuong, Vo Minh Trong in the defense line; Khuat Van Khang, Hoang Van Toan, Giap Tuan Duong, Le Van Do, Nguyen Duc Phu, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac in the midfield line; Nguyen Van Tung, Bui Vi Hao, Nguyen Thanh Nhan in the forward line.
In addition, experienced players who have affirmed their positions continue to be called up. It is easy to mention the names on the list of called up players such as goalkeeper Dang Van Lam; defenders Que Ngoc Hai, Ho Tan Tai, Doan Van Hau, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Do Duy Manh; midfielders Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Tuan Anh; strikers Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan...
According to the plan, the Vietnamese team will begin gathering from October 2 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center. However, in the first days of training, the team will have many gaps in personnel because the groups of players from the Hanoi Police Club, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Hanoi and Hai Phong are all busy with domestic and international tournaments. After completing their duties in the colors of their home clubs, the groups of players from the above 4 clubs can join the national team.
To solve the problem of the number of players in the first days of training, coach Philippe Troussier also had a plan to call up 5 young U20-U23 players to practice with the national team, including defender Dang Tuan Phong (Viettel), Nguyen Duc Anh (Hanoi), Tran Nam Hai (Song Lam Nghe An) and the duo of players from Ba Ria Vung Tau Club, midfielder Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong and defender Nguyen Quang Huy. Creating opportunities for young players to practice with the national team is also part of the plan to prepare the national U23 team for the final round of the 2024 U23 Asian Cup.
On October 8, the Vietnamese team will depart for China to play two international friendly matches during the FIFA Days in October, against the Chinese team on October 10 and the Uzbekistan team on October 13. After finishing their competition in China, the team will travel to Korea to play the final friendly match during the FIFA Days in October, against the Korean team on October 17.
