Vietnam U22 team chooses Khuat Van Khang as captain.
With Van Truong absent due to injury, the Vietnam U22 team elected Khuat Van Khang as captain and Dinh Bac as vice-captain. Coach Kim Sang Sik finalized the 23-player squad on the evening of November 29th and will depart for Bangkok on December 1st.
Khuat Van Khang was elected captain of the Vietnam U22 team at the SEA Games 33, while Dinh Bac was appointed vice-captain. The decision was approved by the entire team on the morning of November 29th, after Van Truong was unable to participate due to an injury sustained in the Panda Cup 2025.
Decision to elect the committee
The election for the team leadership on the morning of November 29th resulted in a unified structure consisting of one captain and one vice-captain. This differs from the usual practice of having two vice-captains in many previous tournaments, demonstrating a commitment to streamlining the internal leadership system ahead of the SEA Games 33 campaign.
Why was the captain's armband given to Khuất Văn Khang?
According to the coaching staff, Van Khang wearing the captain's armband was predictable. The Viettel midfielder is one of the most experienced players in his age group, has regularly been called up to the Vietnamese national team in the past one or two years, and has previously coached youth teams in major tournaments.
Previously, Van Khang wore the captain's armband for the Vietnam U22 team at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. The leadership role was then transferred to Van Truong in the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers and the 2025 Panda Cup.
| Tournament | Captain |
|---|---|
| U23 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 | Khuat Van Khang |
| 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers | Van Truong |
| Panda Cup 2025 | Van Truong |
The role of Dinh Bac and minimalist leadership structure
Dinh Bac is an experienced player and is considered the most important striker of the current Vietnam U22 team. Having only one vice-captain helps streamline the decision-making process on the field, especially given the need to adjust the squad due to Van Truong's injury.
According to information from the team, Khuat Van Khang and Dinh Bac are also the first two names confirmed to be included in the official 23-player squad for the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games.
List of 23 players and travel schedule.
According to the plan, after the training session on the afternoon of November 29th, coach Kim Sang Sik will finalize the official list of 23 players. The entire team will travel to Bangkok on the morning of December 1st to begin their journey at the 33rd SEA Games.
- Morning of November 29th: Election of the student council, selection of team captain and vice-captain.
- Afternoon of November 29th: Final list of 23 players.
- Morning of December 1st: Travel to Bangkok.
Statement by Coach Kim Sang Sik
Sharing his thoughts on the personnel selection process, coach Kim Sang Sik said: “I lost sleep over having to make the choice. All the players train and live professionally, but I had to make the best decision for the team.”
The coach also thanked Coach Polking and CAHN Club for creating the conditions for the three players Dinh Bac, Minh Phuc, and Ly Duc to join the training camp earlier than expected. The early arrival of several key players helped the coaching staff stabilize the squad and streamline the testing process before finalizing the roster.
Significance for the SEA Games 33 campaign
The transfer of the captain's armband from Van Truong to Khuat Van Khang was seamless, emphasizing continuity in leadership. The streamlined leadership structure and tightly-packed schedule helped the U22 Vietnam team enter the SEA Games 33 with clear internal order and specific responsibilities.
