U20 Vietnam to compete in 2025 U20 Asian qualifiers
Báo Tuổi Trẻ•23/09/2024
At 7:00 p.m. tonight (September 23), U20 Vietnam will meet U20 Bhutan in the opening match of the 2025 U20 Asian qualifiers. The match will be broadcast live on VFF Channel and FPT Play.
U20 Vietnam is a team with experience in regional and continental tournaments - Photo: HOANG TUNG
Before the 2025 U20 Asian qualifiers, coach Hua Hien Vinh finalized the list of 23 participating players. These are all familiar faces, having competed at all levels of the Vietnamese youth team in regional and continental tournaments. Specifically, the U20 Vietnam squad has a framework that has come up from U17, having competed in the 2023 Asian qualifiers and finals, including: Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Pham Dinh Hai, Dang Thanh Binh, Nguyen Luong Tuan Khai, Le Dinh Long Vu, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Le Phat. Besides, there are faces that have repeatedly gathered with U19 and U23 such as: Nguyen Huu Tuan, Nguyen Bao Long, Le Van Quang Duyet, Hoang Minh Tien, Nguyen Dang Duong. It can be said that in the history of regional and continental tournaments, it is rare for U20 Vietnam to have a force with as much combat experience as it does now. In terms of general playing style, most of the current U20 Vietnam players are almost familiar with the general philosophy that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has directed to apply throughout the youth teams over the past 2 years. Coach Hua Hien Vinh shared before the tournament: "The whole team has improved their defensive deployment and transition plans. The players have understood the team's main playing style, and this is the premise for achieving the best results."
In the opening match of the 2025 AFC U20 qualifiers, U20 Vietnam will meet U20 Bhutan. The opponent is not highly rated and will be an opportunity for coach Hua Hien Vinh and his team to achieve good results. A small disadvantage for U20 Vietnam before this match is that two key midfielders Nguyen Cong Phuong (The Cong - Viettel) and Le Dinh Long Vu (Song Lam Nghe An) will be late to the training camp due to their obligations with their home clubs in round 2 of the 2024 - 2025 V-League.
Striker Nguyen Dang Duong won the Southeast Asian Championship with U23 Vietnam in 2023 - Photo: HOANG TUNG
In the first match, U20 Bhutan surprisingly let the team rated as the weakest in the group, U20 Guam, draw 1-1. However, this match took place in heavy rain, making it impossible for both teams to play as expected. Based on the FIFA rankings of national teams, U20 Syria is currently rated as the highest in the group with position 92. Following them are U20 Vietnam (116), U20 Bhutan (184), U20 Bangladesh (186) and U20 Guam (204). In the opening match, U20 Syria had a resounding 4-0 victory over U20 Bangladesh.
The 2025 AFC U20 Championship qualifiers will feature 45 teams, divided into five groups of five and five groups of four. The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will qualify for the finals with the host team China. Match schedule for Vietnam U20 in the 2025 AFC U20 Championship qualifiers, taking place at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong: September 23, 7 p.m.: Bhutan U20 - Vietnam U20 September 25, 7 p.m.: Vietnam U20 - Guam U20 September 27, 7 p.m.: Bangladesh U20 - Vietnam U20 September 29, 7 p.m.: Vietnam U20 - Syria U20
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