The Vietnamese national team will be missing several key players in the match against Laos.
Van Toan, Chau Ngoc Quang, and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa are injured; Nguyen Filip is absent. The U23 team will participate in the Panda Cup 2025. Xuan Son returns, Dinh Trieu is called up; training camp from November 10-19.
The Vietnamese national team has finalized its squad for the away match against Laos in the 5th round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, with several notable absences due to injuries and playing conditions. Conversely, striker Nguyen Xuan Son returns after 10 months, while Nguyen Dinh Trieu, the best goalkeeper of the 2024 AFF Cup, has been recalled to the squad.
Major absences due to injury
Three players are still unable to return due to injury:
- Striker Nguyen Van Toan
- Midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang
- Vo Hoang Minh Khoa
All three suffered serious injuries and are likely to only return to training camps next year.
The wooden frame is missing Nguyen Filip.
In goal, Vietnamese-born goalkeeper Nguyen Filip was once again absent. The CAHN player missed the last two training camps and had only recently returned from injury, so coach Kim Sang Sik did not risk using him.
Hoang Hen is not yet eligible to compete.
Midfielder Do Hoang Hen – who recently acquired Vietnamese citizenship – is not included in this squad. Despite rumors of his call-up, Hoang Hen cannot yet play for the Vietnamese national team because he has not met the five-year residency requirement. If he continues to perform well for Hanoi FC, he may be considered for future squad selections.
The U23 team is busy participating in the Panda Cup 2025.
Many U23 players were not selected for the national team to participate in the Panda Cup 2025 friendly tournament (China), including: Trung Kien, Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan, Xuan Bac, Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh...
This reshuffle helps the U23 team prepare optimally for the SEA Games 33, while also weakening the national team's depth in some young players.
Positive signs: Xuan Son returns, Dinh Trieu called up to the national team.
Coach Kim Sang Sik welcomes the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son after 10 months out with injury, promising to add more options to the attack. Goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu – the best player of the AFF Cup 2024 – has also been called up after an impressive series of matches with Hai Phong FC in the V-League.
The South Korean coach also gave opportunities to several new faces such as Khong Minh Gia Bao, Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong, Le Van Do, and Tran Bao Toan.
Team assembly plan and match schedule
The Vietnamese national team will convene from November 10th to 19th, 2025. After gathering at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, the team will travel to Viet Tri (Phu Tho) for training from November 11th to 14th. From November 15th to 19th, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team will travel to Laos to play their 5th match in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup against the Laotian national team.
Expert Corner: The personnel challenge ahead of the match against Laos
The simultaneous absence of attacking and midfield options such as Nguyen Van Toan, Chau Ngoc Quang, and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa forces the coaching staff to reconsider their personnel options, especially at times when they need to increase the pace or change the tempo.
In goal, the presence of Nguyen Dinh Trieu adds another competitive option. Further up the field, the return of Xuan Son opens up more choices for the attacking structure, while the new recruits provide the team with more rotational resources during a busy schedule.
Ahead of a crucial qualifying match, organizational discipline and personnel flexibility will be key strengths for the Vietnamese national team, especially given their incomplete squad.
