Opportunities for 5 Song Lam Nghe An players in the Vietnam U23 team?
The five Song Lam Nghe An players called up to the Vietnam U23 team for the CFA Team China 2026 is a source of pride for Nghe An football. However, ahead of them lies not only the opportunity to gain international experience but also fierce competition for a place in the squad.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)'s decision to call up five players from Song Lam Nghe An to the Vietnam U23 team for the March 2026 training camp has raised many expectations for Nghe An football. This opens up opportunities for Nghe An players to compete internationally, gain experience, and prove their abilities.
According to the plan, the Vietnam U23 team will gather in Hanoi from March 17th to prepare for the CFA Team China 2026 international football tournament held in Xi'an (China) from March 25th to 31st. The tournament brings together four teams: China U23, Vietnam U23, Thailand U23, and North Korea U23, competing in a round-robin format to determine the final rankings.
In this training camp roster, Song Lam Nghe An contributed five names: goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, defender Le Nguyen Hoang, midfielder Nguyen Quang Vinh, winger Le Dinh Long Vu, and midfielder Nguyen Trong Tuan.
From a professional standpoint, each player faces unique opportunities and challenges. Among them, goalkeeper Cao Van Binh has the clearest advantage. The 2005-born goalkeeper was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games and the bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. His international experience gives him a slight edge in the competition against Pham Dinh Hai of Hanoi FC and Hoa Xuan Tin of Ho Chi Minh City FC. Given that the Vietnam U23 team will be facing physically strong and fast-paced opponents like North Korea and China, an experienced goalkeeper like Van Binh is a reliable choice for the starting lineup.
In the defensive line, Le Nguyen Hoang faces even fiercer competition. The list of defenders for the Vietnam U23 team this time includes quite a few names currently playing in the V.League and First Division, such as Truong Nhac Minh (Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Quoc Toan, Le Thang Long, Nguyen Bao Long (PVF-CAND), Mai Quoc Tu, Nguyen Trung Nguyen (SHB Da Nang), and Vu Quoc Anh (Hai Phong).
Most notably, center-back Dinh Quang Kiet of Hoang Anh Gia Lai is a promising option. With a height of over 1.80m and regular playing time in the V.League this season, Quang Kiet is a strong contender in the central defense. In this context, Le Nguyen Hoang's strengths lie in his solidity and ability to read the game. The SLNA center-back isn't particularly physically imposing, but he plays calmly, disciplined, and has a solid training foundation. If he can maintain consistency in training and matches, Nguyen Hoang can still compete for a place in the starting lineup.
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The midfield is where Song Lam Nghe An has the most players, with three names: Nguyen Quang Vinh, Le Dinh Long Vu, and Nguyen Trong Tuan. However, this is also the area with the fiercest competition. The Vietnam U23 team possesses many quality young midfielders such as Thai Ba Dat, Quach Quang Huy (PVF-CAND), Nguyen Cong Phuong (The Cong Viettel), and Le Van Thuan (Ninh Binh). These are all players who have had the opportunity to play in the V.League 2025/26.
Nguyen Quang Vinh is a central midfielder known for his stamina and tackling ability. He moves widely, provides good defensive support, and plays quite disciplined within the tactical system. However, to compete with midfielders already familiar with the national team environment like Thai Ba Dat or Cong Phuong, Quang Vinh needs to demonstrate consistency and the ability to quickly adapt to the team's pace of play.
Meanwhile, Le Dinh Long Vu brings a more distinctly attacking dimension. The Song Lam Nghe An player can play as a winger or forward, where he effectively utilizes his speed and ability to break through on the flanks. Long Vu possesses quality crosses and a good basic technical foundation. Compared to midfielders who focus on organizing play in the center, Long Vu offers a fast-paced attacking option on the wings. Given that the Vietnam U23 team needs more attacking options on both wings, this could be a strength that helps the SLNA player impress the coaching staff.
Nguyen Trong Tuan is the name that comes as the biggest surprise. The midfielder, born in 2006, was a bright spot in SLNA's youth teams and was promoted to the first team from the 2024/25 season. Possessing a good physique and decent technique, Trong Tuan made 6 appearances in the V.League in his first season with the first team.
However, in the 2025/26 season, this player hasn't had many opportunities to play. This puts Trong Tuan at a slight disadvantage compared to midfielders who are regularly playing in the V.League. Nevertheless, this "unknown quantity" could become a noteworthy point. If he can show confidence and desire in training, this young midfielder could certainly spring a surprise.
Overall, the fact that Song Lam Nghe An has five players called up to the Vietnam U23 team further affirms the position of Nghe An's youth academy in the national football system. However, a place in the starting lineup is not reserved for just anyone.
It can be said that the 2026 CFA Team China tournament will be a true test for young players on their journey to prove themselves. The opportunity has come to the players from Nghe An province. The important thing is that they must seize it well to prove themselves.
