Football

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam are gearing up for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 qualifiers, which will take place at Việt Trì Stadium in the northern province of Phú Thọ next month.

Coach Philippe Troussier has officially announced the 34-player squad for the preparation plan leading up to the qualifiers. This includes 10 players who were recently crowned champions with the U23 team at the 2023 AFF U23 Championship in Thailand.

Notable players from the championship-winning squad who have made the cut are goalkeeper Nguyễn Văn Việt, defenders Trần Nam Hải and Nguyễn Hồng Phúc, midfielders Đinh Xuân Tiến and Võ Hoàng Minh Khoa, and strikers Bùi Vĩ Hào and Nguyễn Minh Quang. Among these individuals, Xuân Tiến and Minh Quang stood out in the 2023 AFF U23 Championship. Tiến served as the team's captain, while Quang impressed with his energetic play on the right side.

Additionally, the French coach has also selected and retained several players who have been in good form and were part of the initial squad, such as goalkeepers Cao Văn Bình and Đoàn Huy Hoàng, defenders Đặng Tuấn Phong, Võ Minh Trọng, and Hồ Văn Cường, and midfielders Huỳnh Thế Hiếu and Lê Quốc Nhật Nam.

Prominent players who have been integral to the U23 squad and have worked extensively with coach Troussier have also been included. This group includes defenders Trần Quang Thịnh and Vũ Tiến Long, midfielders Lê Văn Đô and Huỳnh Công Đến, and strikers Nguyễn Văn Tùng and Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn.

Overall, the squad comprises a blend of talented players who have recently tasted success, as well as those who have consistently performed well and have experience working with Coach Troussier.

As per the schedule, the team will assemble for practice starting on August 29 at the Việt Nam Youth Football Training Center. Notably, Nguyễn An Khánh, who plays for U19 Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic, will return to join the team on August 31.

In the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers, Việt Nam are in Group C alongside Guam, Yemen, and Singapore. Their matches are scheduled as follows: Guam on September 6, Yemen on September 9, and Singapore on September 12.

Ticket prices for the matches will range from VNĐ50,000 to VNĐ200,000.

A total of 47 teams will compete in the qualification round, which will take place from September 4 to September 12. The top 16 teams from this round will advance to the final tournament, which includes Qatar as the automatic qualifier as hosts.

Saudi Arabia are the current defending champions of the tournament. — VNS