Song Lam Nghe An center back - Tran Nam Hai and his opportunity in U23 Vietnam
In this U23 Vietnam training session, Song Lam Nghe An midfielder Tran Nam Hai was trusted by coach Kim Sang-sik to be given a chance. This is the second time the 2004-born player has been called up to the national team, after a period of stable performance and progress in the V.League. This training session also opens up an opportunity for Nam Hai to assert his ability and position in the U23 Vietnam defense.
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Coach Kim Sang-sik, known for his modern football philosophy, emphasizes tactical discipline, reasonable pressing and the ability to control space. Under him, the team is moving towards a more proactive style of play, organizing a solid defense, keeping reasonable distance between the lines and counter-attacking quickly when the opportunity arises.
In that system, central defenders with physical strength, the ability to judge and handle the ball neatly like Tran Nam Hai are considered the right choice. The player of Song Lam Nghe An can take on many positions, from central defender to defensive midfielder, and often plays solidly in face-to-face situations. Nam Hai's playing style does not focus on pure strength but on choosing a position.
Coach Kim Sang-sik once shared that he prioritizes players who can react quickly, follow tactics and have the ability to move and cover effectively. Those criteria are also Nam Hai's strengths. In SLNA's shirt, he is often arranged to play on the right side of a 3-man defense or a traditional pair of central defenders depending on the playing diagram. In SLNA's defense system, Nam Hai has shown the ability to coordinate well with his teammates in the back line and develop the attack quite well.
For a coach who values organization, having players who know how to follow instructions and limit mistakes is an important factor. Nam Hai is still in the process of perfecting, but he has a good foundation in terms of physique, jumping power and the ability to read situations. These are the points that help Nam Hai have the opportunity to compete for a position in the U23 Vietnam squad.
In fact, at the U23 age group, players like Nam Hai still need to accumulate more playing experience, especially in high-tempo or high-pressure matches. However, being trained in a disciplined and modern environment under coach Kim Sang-sik will help him develop more in tactical thinking and team coordination.
This training session is a preparation step for the goal of winning the Gold Medal at the 33rd SEA Games. In the competition for a position in the defense, if he shows stability and concentration, Nam Hai can become one of the faces that the coaching staff considers to keep in the Vietnam U23 Team.
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In the third training session of the National U23 Team in 2025, central defender Tran Nam Hai is one of three players from Song Lam Nghe An to be called up. This is also the second time the player born in 2004 has been called up to the Vietnam U23 Team, after his first participation in the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 Tournament held in Thailand.
The player from Thanh Chuong grew up in SLNA's youth training center. When he was only 18 years old, he was promoted to the first team, initially playing as a defensive midfielder. Then, when coach Phan Nhu Thuat took over, he was moved down to play as a center back. This change helped Nam Hai develop his ability to compete, read situations and adjust defensive distance.
Having played as a center-back for a long time from youth teams, Nam Hai did not take much time to adapt. In the 2023 season, he was able to play more regularly and gradually became a part of SLNA's defense system. Although he had to rest for nearly 2 months due to a muscle injury in May 2024, he still returned strongly in V.League 2025/26 with 5 appearances in the first 5 rounds.
According to statistics, in the last 3 seasons, Nam Hai has had more than 40 appearances in official tournaments. Experience playing in the V.League environment helps him accumulate confidence and better understand the pace of professional football, which is very necessary for a young player to be called up to the national team.
For Nam Hai, the second time being called up to the national team is a memorable milestone. That shows the trust of the U23 Vietnam Coaching Board and is also the result of his persistent efforts at the club. The road ahead is still long, but if he continues to maintain his form and spirit of learning, he can completely assert his position in the U23 Vietnam shirt.
In a competitive environment under coach Kim Sang-sik, this will be an important opportunity for Nam Hai to mature, from playing skills to thinking and competition experience.
