Acting Head Coach of Vietnam U23 comments on the new Vietnamese overseas recruit

Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh holds the Vietnamese overseas midfielder Vadim Nguyễn in high regard, marking his initial call-up to the Vietnam U23 squad.

On the afternoon of October 5th, the Vietnam U23 team held their first training session during the national team’s FIFA Days call-up in October 2025. This is part of a long-term preparation plan initiated early by the Vietnam Football Federation targeting two major goals: the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Since Head Coach Kim Sang-sik is leading the national team in two matches against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the coaching responsibilities for the Vietnam U23 team have been entrusted to Acting Head Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh.

Regarding the newcomer Vadim Nguyễn, Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh stated: “We highly value this player. The coaching staff regularly communicates with Head Coach Kim Sang-sik to establish the best criteria for selecting personnel for the team.”

The Acting Head Coach of Vietnam U23 also shared more about the delegation within the coaching team: “Whether the training period is short or long, friendly matches or scrimmages, I assign tasks in detail to ensure smooth operations and reduce the unfamiliarity among members.”

Before the training session, Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh emphasized: “The two upcoming friendlies against Qatar U23 during the training camp are very important, helping us test and evaluate some promising players. The entire team is striving to achieve the goal of winning the gold medal at SEA Games 33 and advancing deep into the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.”

According to the plan, Vietnam U23 will train at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center until October 6th before departing for a training camp in the UAE. There, the team will play two friendlies against Qatar U23 on October 9th and 13th, both highly regarded for their competitive quality. This is part of a football development cooperation program between the Vietnam Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association launched in 2023, providing an important opportunity for Vietnam U23 to refine tactics, complete the squad, and gain experience.

Next, in November 2025, Vietnam U23 will participate in an international tournament in China under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two federations’ leaders in August 2025. The tournament is expected to feature China U23, Vietnam U23, and two other strong continental teams, promising valuable preparation for key missions at the end of the year.