Vietnam U23 replaces goalkeeper for the 2026 U23 Asian Championship due to injury.
Coach Kim Sang-sik has called up Pham Dinh Hai to replace Nguyen Tan, who suffered a shoulder injury, just days before the opening of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Last-minute personnel changes for Vietnam U23 team.
With the opening day of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia fast approaching, the Vietnam U23 team has faced an unavoidable personnel change in the goalkeeping position. The unexpected injury to Nguyen Tan has forced coach Kim Sang-sik to make an urgent adjustment to ensure the stability of the defense.
Losses from Nguyen Tan's injury
On the afternoon of December 31st, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially announced that goalkeeper Nguyen Tan would be unable to participate in the upcoming campaign. The goalkeeper, who plays for the Ho Chi Minh City Police team, suffered a serious shoulder injury during a high-intensity training session. Medical staff concluded that he would need a long recovery period, thus missing the continent's biggest tournament for the U23 age group.
In coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical plan, Nguyen Tan was considered a quality backup option after Tran Trung Kien and Cao Van Binh. This absence forced the coaching staff to quickly activate a replacement who could integrate into the team's atmosphere as quickly as possible.
Pham Dinh Hai's 6,000 km journey
The chosen player is Pham Dinh Hai, the promising 19-year-old goalkeeper of Hanoi FC. Immediately after receiving the call-up, Dinh Hai made a journey of over 6,000 km from Vietnam to West Asia to join his teammates. This is a great physical challenge, but his international experience at various levels from U16 to U20 is expected to help share the burden in goal.
Pham Dinh Hai is no stranger to the philosophy of the South Korean strategist. He previously trained under Kim Sang-sik, which significantly shortened his adaptation process to the demanding technical and tactical requirements ahead of the important tournament in early 2026.
Efforts to maintain squad depth.
Besides the goalkeeper position, the U23 Vietnam coaching staff is also closely monitoring the condition of Nguyen Thanh Nhan. The player is currently undergoing a separate treatment plan due to a muscle injury. With the tournament officially starting on January 6th, the medical team is racing against time to help Thanh Nhan reach his best physical condition.
The Vietnam U23 team entered the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship facing significant challenges in terms of squad strength right from the preparation stage. However, coach Kim Sang-sik's quick personnel decisions demonstrate his proactive approach in controlling the situation and aiming for a deep run in this year's tournament.
