Vietnam U22 vs China U22: Viktor Lê and Đình Bắc not registered.
Due to fitness issues, Vietnam U22 did not register Viktor Lê and Đình Bắc for the match against China U22 at 6:35 PM in the 2025 Panda Cup; these two players are expected to return against Uzbekistan U22 on November 15th.
The Vietnam U22 team will play their opening match of the Panda Cup 2025 at 6:35 PM on November 12th against host China U22 without registering two key attacking players, Viktor Lê and Nguyễn Đình Bắc. Defender Đinh Quang Kiệt is also not on the squad list. Acting head coach Đinh Hồng Vinh has brought 26 players to Chengdu.
The opening match and three notable absences.
According to the registration list, the Vietnam U22 team did not include Dinh Bac, Dinh Quang Kiet, and Viktor Le for the match against China U22. Dinh Bac and Viktor Le were confirmed not to be registered due to fitness issues. Both are key players for the Vietnam U23 team in 2025, contributing to their victory in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and qualification for the 2026 Asian U23 Championship.
Dinh Quang Kiet is a 1.95m tall central defender who just scored his first goal for HAGL in V-League Round 11. Viktor Le is the only overseas Vietnamese player in the current Vietnam U22 squad.
Why weren't Viktor Lê and Đình Bắc registered?
The group of players from Hanoi FC, Ha Tinh, and CAHN (including Dinh Bac and Viktor Le) played in Round 11 of the V-League on the evening of November 10th, and only traveled to Chengdu on the morning of November 11th, so their physical condition was not up to par.
In the only training session before the match, Le Viktor, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Minh Phuc only did light recovery exercises. The remaining players focused on tactical drills, teamwork, and quick transitions in preparation for the opening match against U22 China. Minh Phuc was on the substitutes' bench, while Dinh Bac and Viktor Le were not registered.
Human resources plan and the road ahead.
It is highly likely that Dinh Bac and Viktor Le will soon return to the squad for the second friendly match against Uzbekistan U22 at 2:30 PM (Vietnam time) on November 15th and the final match against South Korea U22 on November 18th.
The Panda Cup 2025 is significant as it gives the Vietnam U23 team the opportunity to compete against strong opponents such as China, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Immediately after the tournament, the Vietnam U23 team will begin a final training camp for the 33rd SEA Games starting on November 23rd in Vung Tau, before departing for Thailand on December 2nd to participate in the Games.
In related news, the Uzbekistan U22 team lost to South Korea in their opening match of the Panda Cup 2025.
Vietnam U22's schedule at the Panda Cup 2025
- November 12th: Vietnam U22 vs China U22, 6:35 PM
- November 15th: Vietnam U22 vs Uzbekistan U22, 2:30 PM (Vietnam time)
- November 18th: Vietnam U22 vs South Korea U22
