Reason why Russian-Vietnamese overseas player joined U23 Vietnam late

Russian-Vietnamese midfielder Viktor Lê arrived late to join U23 Vietnam because of a slight injury and transportation challenges following the Hà Tĩnh vs. PVF - CAND match.

Midfielder Viktor Lê was granted permission by the U23 Vietnam coaching staff to join the team later than scheduled due to personal matters and travel complications. According to the plan, Viktor Lê would arrive in Hanoi by noon on October 5th and participate in the afternoon training session with the team, preparing for two important friendly matches against U23 Qatar.

Currently playing for Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club, the player is considered one of the standout members of the current U23 Vietnam squad. Although he recently returned to Vietnam to compete, Viktor Lê has shown impressive form in the V.League, quickly earning recognition thanks to his strong fitness, ability to control the game's tempo, and modern tactical thinking.

Regarding Viktor Lê’s late arrival, acting head coach of U23 Vietnam, Mr. Đinh Hồng Vinh, stated: “In the recent match between Hà Tĩnh and PVF - CAND, Viktor Lê collided at the 65th minute and suffered a minor thigh injury. Additionally, the route from Hà Tĩnh to Hanoi is currently affected by storms and there are no direct flights. Therefore, he had to travel slower than expected. However, on the morning of October 5th, Viktor was present at the training center and fully reported to the coaching staff. He also shared the difficulties he faced, and we completely understand and appreciate Viktor’s professional attitude.”

Besides confirming Viktor Lê’s condition, coach Đinh Hồng Vinh also emphasized the importance of the upcoming two friendly matches against U23 Qatar: “With the goal of winning the gold medal at SEA Games 33 and progressing deep in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, we consider these two matches as valuable opportunities to review the squad, assess each player’s ability and form. This is a crucial test for the entire team before entering official competitions.”

Despite arriving late, Viktor Lê still enjoys the trust of the coaching staff. The 22-year-old player is expected to quickly integrate, bring more creativity to the midfield, and help U23 Vietnam refine their playing style towards achieving major goals in the near future.