Bulgarian media express regret over Chung Nguyen Do

Chung Nguyen Do has officially parted ways with the Bulgaria team to become a member of Vietnam's U23 squad. This move has led Bulgarian media to regret losing such a rising star.

One of Bulgaria's most promising young football talents has stirred disappointment among local media by choosing to represent Vietnam's U23 team instead of continuing with Bulgaria's national squad.

Vietnamese midfielder Chung Nguyen Do (Vietnamese name: Trần Thành Trung) has formally bid farewell to Bulgarian football to join the Vietnamese national team. This decision was made just before coach Kim Sang Sik announced the U23 Vietnam squad for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers.

Bulgaria's Dsport reported: "Former Slavia club player Chung Nguyen Do has represented Bulgaria at youth levels from U17 to U21. Recently, he also joined Ninh Bình club in Vietnam, marking a significant turning point in his career. His decision to play for Vietnam's national team came just days after FIFA approved his eligibility to represent Vietnam in international competitions."

In an emotional statement, Chung Nguyen Do shared: "I close a successful chapter filled with unforgettable friends and moments. Wearing Bulgaria’s flag was an honor and a privilege for me. Thank you for all the support, the memories, and everything else!"

Moving to represent Vietnam, Chung Nguyen Do is expected to be a valuable talent within the "Golden Star Warriors" squad, bringing with him valuable experience gained from his years with the Bulgarian national teams. He will play a key role in strengthening the midfield of Vietnam's U23 team, which recently won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.

In this upcoming training camp, Chung Nguyen Do stands out as a notable member of Vietnam's U23 squad. Coach Kim Sang Sik continues to maintain the successful core while adding this midfielder to enhance the team's midfield strength. If he performs well in the AFC U23 qualifiers, Chung could become a vital player for Vietnam's U23 side at the 33rd SEA Games later this year.

According to the schedule, Vietnam's U23 team will gather in Việt Trì (Phú Thọ) from August 30 to prepare for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. In Group C, coach Kim Sang Sik's squad will face U23 Bangladesh (September 3), U23 Singapore (September 6), and U23 Yemen (September 9).