With Xuan Truong sidelined, Vietnam U19 unexpectedly gets a new captain.

A major shake-up has occurred within the Vietnam U19 team as midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh has been given the captain's armband, replacing his teammate Luong Xuan Truong.

Tuan Anh during a friendly match against Roma U19 in January. (Photo: Minh Chien/Vietnam+)

This decision was made by coach Graechen Guillaume ahead of the training camp in Japan in early June. Unlike the decision to drop Hoang Van Khanh from the team, Tuan Anh becoming the new captain is purely for professional reasons.

Coach "Giom" and the coaching staff believe that Tuan Anh possesses a stronger personality, making him more suitable for the leadership position of the Vietnam U19 team. Previously, Tuan Anh was also the vice-captain of the Vietnam U19 team, and had worn the captain's armband on several occasions when Xuan Truong left the field.

Tuan Anh himself is one of the most creative and technically gifted players on the team. The midfielder from Thai Binh, nicknamed "Nho" (after superstar Ronaldinho), like many other Hoang Anh Gia Lai Arsenal JMG players, is a quiet, reserved player who doesn't often show his emotions. But in difficult circumstances, Tuan Anh has demonstrated an admirable fighting spirit.

He will officially wear the captain's armband for the Vietnam U19 team starting from their tour in Japan (beginning on June 8th).

This decision is just one of several major changes made to the Vietnam U19 team recently. Previously, the team had called up 11 new players, dropped a number of old stars, and was preparing for a new transitional phase.

Another significant change for the Vietnam U19 team is that Mr. Duong Vu Lam will replace Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi as the team's head of delegation during the training camp in Japan.

According to VNA