2 players of Song Lam Nghe An are on the list of Vietnam team to tour China and Korea.
(Baonghean.vn) - Before leaving for China, coach Philippe Troussier announced a shortlist of 28 players for the Vietnamese national team, including defender Ho Van Cuong and goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet of Song Lam Nghe An Club.
On October 7, the Vietnamese team completed training in Hanoi to prepare to go abroad to compete in a series of friendly matches at FIFA Days in October 2023, against China, Uzbekistan and South Korea.
This afternoon, coach Philippe Troussier announced the names summoned at a press conference at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). The French strategist made a surprising adjustment to the personnel of the Vietnam team.
Accordingly, coach Philippe Troussier added Vo Minh Trong to the list, and eliminated 6 players including Le Van Do, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Duc Phu, Ho Tan Tai, Doan Van Hau, Nguyen Duc Anh (Hanoi FC). Of which, Van Hau has not recovered from injury.
Of the 28 names just finalized, coach Philippe Troussier retained many U23 faces, including goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet; defenders: Phan Tuan Tai, Vo Minh Trong, Giap Tuan Duong, Ho Van Cuong; midfielders: Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thai Son, Hoang Van Toan; strikers: Nguyen Van Tung, Bui Vi Hao, Nguyen Dinh Bac.
This U23 generation will be playing alongside their seniors in the next 3 quality friendly matches. Coach Troussier will retain veterans for the Vietnam team including goalkeeper Dang Van Lam; defenders Que Ngoc Hai, Do Duy Manh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh; midfielders Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Tuan Anh; strikers Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan...
"The initial list has 33 players, this is a preliminary list. The reason I called so many players is because this is a special time, when V-League teams are preparing for the tournament, only a few teams play in Asian playgrounds such as Hanoi and Hai Phong (in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup).
Therefore, it is difficult for us to concentrate our forces, so we have to call up many players to prevent player injuries when playing in the Asian Cup and the National Super Cup. In addition, we do not have much time left to practice, so I want to be sure about my choices, based on the form and physical condition of the players at the Club.
"This shortlist reflects the players selected based on their current form, fitness and their performances during their time at the club in recent matches. I do not select players based on their reputation or name alone," said coach Philippe Troussier.
After a series of friendly matches in October, the Vietnamese team will begin the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. The first opponents of the Vietnamese team in the November World Cup qualifiers include the Philippines and Iraq.
