"Filtering gold" from the Song Lam Nghe An academy: Who will catch the eye of the Vietnam U19 head coach?

Following their victory in the 2026 National U19 Championship, Song Lam Nghe An's youth football team continues to make its mark with six players called up to the Vietnam U19 National Team. The list includes Hoang Minh Hoi, Nguyen Tan Minh, Tran Dong Thuc, Bach Trong Duong, Vuong Quoc Dung, and Tran Quoc Hoa. Coach Nguyen Hong Viet is also part of the team's coaching staff.

This is a well-deserved reward for a team that has performed impressively to win the championship after a 20-year wait. The training camp from March 16th to 29th at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center will be a comprehensive selection and evaluation process for the team under the guidance of head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi.

The Japanese coach has repeatedly emphasized his clear working philosophy. He doesn't prioritize fame or past achievements, but focuses on fit with the team's philosophy and adaptability within the team environment. "This training camp will be a process of expanding and reviewing the squad. We want to give opportunities to outstanding players from the national U19 league, thereby directly evaluating them and finding the most suitable players for the team," Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi shared.

Among the six SLNA players, center-back Hoang Minh Hoi stands out. Not only is he a reliable anchor in the defense, but the 2007-born player also surprised everyone by winning the top scorer title with 4 goals at the National U19 Championship Finals. This is clear evidence of his all-around abilities, from defense to attack.

However, besides Hoang Minh Hoi, the remaining players also bring noteworthy professional value. Tan Minh is a right-back with the ability to seamlessly transition between attack and defense, providing good support for the attacking front. In the midfield, Captain Vuong Quoc Dung plays as a central midfielder, acting as a link in the gameplay and maintaining the tempo of the match.

Meanwhile, Bach Trong Duong possesses an ideal physique and specializes in the defensive midfield position, contributing to the steeliness of the midfield. In defense, Tran Dong Thuc is a suitable center-back when the team operates a 3-center-back formation, often playing in the center with strengths in situational awareness and a tenacious playing style. Up front, Tran Quoc Hoa is a winger who can play as an attacking midfielder, excelling with good basic technique, intelligent footballing thinking, and is considered a highly promising player.

However, the reality is that being called up is only the beginning. With coach Yutaka Ikeuchi conducting a two-stage selection process, the pressure to compete is immense. The first week focuses on evaluating and streamlining the squad, while the second week will see the addition of new players to increase competition.

Hoang Minh Hoi himself is well aware of this. "The competition is fierce when you're on the national team, so I have to try harder to prove myself," the central defender shared.

From a professional standpoint, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi highly praised the spirit, enthusiasm, and desire to prove themselves of the young Vietnamese players. However, he also emphasized that only players who meet the requirements in terms of physical fitness, tactical thinking, and the ability to adapt to the playing style can remain on the final list. "This is a comprehensive selection process, not only based on skills but also on attitude and long-term development potential," the Japanese coach affirmed.

Clearly, with six players included, Song Lam Nghe An has a numerical advantage, but that doesn't mean all of them will be retained. In the fierce competition for a place in the national team, every position demands excellence and consistency.

This training camp will therefore be a test of each individual's efforts. For names like Hoang Minh Hoi, Nguyen Tan Minh, Vuong Quoc Dung, Bach Trong Duong, and Tran Quoc Hoa, the door is open for everyone. But to truly succeed, they need to demonstrate their desire and prove their worth in the eyes of the discerning head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi.

And if they can get through this selection phase, the journey of these young players from Nghe An will go even further in bigger regional and continental football arenas in the future.