The shortlist of the Vietnamese team preparing for the 2023 Asian Cup currently has 30 players. Although coach Philippe Troussier will eliminate 4 more names (most likely 4 young players) close to the match day, it can be affirmed that the Vietnamese team will participate in the Asian playground with the youngest force in history.
17 of the 30 players on the shortlist are under 25 years old, 11 of whom are eligible to play in the 2024 AFC U23 Championship finals. For each position, Coach Troussier has at least 1 to 2 U23 players. These are also the core names of the Vietnam U23 team aiming to win tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics next April.
Even if he wanted, Coach Troussier has enough players to field a squad consisting entirely of U.23 players at the Asian Cup.
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The Vietnam team has many players under the age of 23.
In the goalkeeper position is Nguyen Van Viet (2002), a young talent who has played 6 matches for SLNA in V-League 2023 - 2024. Although the Vietnamese team is flooded with talents such as Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, making Van Viet's chances of competing not high, the experience at the Asian Cup will be very valuable for this goalkeeper to improve.
In defense, Giap Tuan Duong (2002), Vo Minh Trong (2001) and Phan Tuan Tai (2001) are the U.23 defenders still on the list.
Minh Trong and Tuan Tai have been the main players for the Vietnam national team since October 2023. Tuan Tai was given a "hard position" by Mr. Troussier in the left center-back position, Minh Trong is a trusted left winger, and Tuan Duong, although less prominent, was tested in the match against Palestine.
It is a bit unfortunate for young defender Ho Van Cuong. Possessing great potential and also being called up to the national team in the second half of last year, Van Cuong was not able to attend the Asian Cup because coach Troussier has too many options on the right wing such as Ho Tan Tai, Vu Van Thanh, Truong Tien Anh, Pham Xuan Manh.
It's a pity that Van Cuong's name is not on the list.
In midfield, Mr. Troussier also has 3 U.23 players, including Nguyen Thai Son (2003), Khuat Van Khang (2003) and Le Van Do (2001), in which Thai Son has occupied a starting position from June 2023 until now.
The 20-year-old midfielder is one of the most regular players in the national team, U.23 and club in 2023. He was voted the best young player in V-League, showing continuous progress.
Meanwhile, Le Van Do started before playing in SEA Games 31, scored in V-League 2023, but is showing signs of slowing down. The PVF-CAND player needs more confidence to compete for a spot in the U.23 Vietnam team. Khuat Van Khang is also full of potential, but is still at the reserve level, needing more time to break through.
In the forward line, Coach Troussier also has a squad of quality young stars including Nguyen Van Tung (2001), Nguyen Van Truong (2003), Bui Vi Hao (2003) and Nguyen Dinh Bac (2004).
Dinh Bac played in both first two matches of the 2nd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
The most impressive of these is Dinh Bac, the player who scored 2 goals in the V-League this season, and also scored for the Vietnamese team in his debut match.
Of course, it is very difficult for Coach Troussier to put 11 U.23 players on the field at the same time. However, the method of alternating young players with senior players (there have always been at least 4 or 5 U.23 players playing for the national team in recent times) that Coach Troussier has applied will help young players gain more experience to improve, especially when the U.23 Asian Cup finals are approaching.
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