Japanese Coach Calls Up 32 Vietnamese U18 Players for Asia's Premier Tournament

The Vietnam Football Federation has revealed the roster of 32 players chosen for the Vietnamese U18 team as they get ready for the Seoul Eou Cup 2025 international friendly competition.

For this training camp, the Vietnamese U18 squad has summoned a total of 32 players, including many who previously took part in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship final round such as goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin, defenders Nguyen Hong Quang, Le Tan Dung, midfielders Dau Hong Phong, Nguyen Van Khanh, forwards Hoang Trong Duy Khang, Nguyen Van Bach, Nguyen Thien Phu... This group is considered the core force for the Vietnamese U18 team to enhance their international match experience and build a foundation for future ambitions.

However, this is not yet the strongest lineup for the U18 age group as many players in this call-up are currently injured or occupied with their clubs in national competitions.

According to the schedule, the Vietnamese U18 squad will train in Hanoi until September 19 before traveling to South Korea to compete in the Seoul Eou Cup 2025, held from September 21 to 28 in Seoul. This year's tournament features eight high-quality youth teams: Vietnam U18, Seoul FA (Seoul's best U18 select team), K League U18 All Star (K League U18 select team), Gangneung Jungang High School – the reigning Korean High School champions, Kanto University (Japan), Johor Darul Ta’zim U18 (Malaysia), Buriram United U18 (Thailand), and Zhejiang U18 (China).

Head Coach of Vietnam U18 Team Confirmed

The Vietnamese U18 squad is led by Japanese coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, an experienced expert who signed with the Vietnam Football Federation in February 2025 and served as Technical Advisor for the Vietnam U17 team during the 2025 AFC U17 Championship final round.

Born in 1961 in Aichi, Japan, Ikeuchi played professionally for Fujita (Shonan Bellmare) and represented Japan’s national team from 1981 to 1985. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, spending over 20 years with the Japan Football Association (JFA) in key roles such as head coach of Japan’s U15, U16, and U17 national teams, youth development director at JFA, and instructor for coaching licenses C, B, A, and Pro. Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi holds the JFA “S” coaching license and is regarded as one of the most experienced youth football developers who has contributed to nurturing many generations of Japanese players.

With a talented squad, the Vietnamese U18 team is expected to perform well in the tournament while gaining valuable international match experience to support important future goals.

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