Key U23 Vietnam players may not be guaranteed spots on the senior national team

Certain key players from U23 Vietnam could be given precedence in training for SEA Games 33 scheduled for this November.

Both the Vietnam senior team and U23 squad will assemble in November 2025 to prepare for important upcoming international engagements. While the senior team aims for an away match against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the U23 team will participate in the 2025 Panda Cup international friendly tournament in China and finalize their preparations for SEA Games 33.

Earlier during the October FIFA Days, eight U23 Vietnam players—goalkeeper Trung Kien, defenders Hieu Minh, Phi Hoang, Nhat Minh, midfielders Xuan Bac, Van Khang, along with forwards Thanh Nhan and Dinh Bac—were called up to the senior team for two matches against Nepal in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, other U23 teammates went to the UAE for training and a friendly match against Qatar.

Although called up to the senior team, these players had limited playing time—except Trung Kien who started one match, and Hieu Minh who also started once—while Phi Hoang, Nhat Minh, and Xuan Bac did not get any game time. Therefore, coach Kim Sang Sik’s player usage plan may be adjusted in November.

In November, the senior Vietnam team has only one match against Laos, whereas the U23 squad will compete in the 2025 Panda Cup in China, featuring strong teams like U23 China, U23 Uzbekistan, and U23 South Korea. Around 26 players are expected to be called up for this U23 training camp.

This is a high-quality friendly tournament where U23 Vietnam will face top Asian teams such as South Korea and the reigning U23 Asian champion Uzbekistan, along with hosts China. Hence, these key U23 players might skip senior team training to rejoin the U23 squad and support their teammates.

U23 Vietnam must prioritize SEA Games 33 in December in Thailand, so core players like Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan, and Khuat Van Khang should focus their efforts on this task rather than the senior team. Since the senior team only faces Laos, they won’t need to exert too much effort to secure a victory.