HA NOI (VNS)— The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) has approved the national football squad which will prepare for the last match against Hong Kong in the qualifying round of the Asian Cup 2015.

Twenty-three players have been included in the squad.

The federation and coach Hoang Van Phuc have added three new faces – Tran Buu Ngoc of Dong Thap, Nguyen Manh Dung of Ninh Binh and Tran Nguyen Manh of Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) as the goalies – instead of veterans Duong Hong Son and Bui Tan Truong.

Phuc didn't include striker Czech Vietnamese Mac Hong Quan, but has called Le Cong Vinh of SLNA, Nguyen Quang Hai of Hai Phong and Nguyen Anh Duc of Binh Duong.

There is little change in the half-back line-up. Besides veterans Pham Thanh Luong, Nguyen Van Quyet, Cao Sy Cuong of Ha Noi T&T, the young players who have been called this time are Bui Van Hieu of Ha Noi T&T and Vu Minh Tuan of Quang Ninh Coal.

In the fullback lineup, 50-year-old Phuc has included veterans Truong Dinh Luat, Au Van Hoan of Binh Duong, Nguyen Van Bien of Ha Noi T&T, Khuat Huu Long of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Pham Manh Hung of Song Lam Nghe An, Dao Van Phong of Hai Phong, Nguyen Xuan Thanh of Thanh Hoa, and Le Quang Hung of Ninh Binh.

VFF general secretary Ngo Le Bang said although the last match result didn't mean much to Viet Nam – Viet Nam have lost five out of six matches and will be ousted from this Cup – the team would try to perform their best and play fair.

As scheduled, players will assemble in Ha Noi tomorrow. They will play in a friendly game with a South Korea student team on March 2 in the Hang Day Stadium, before playing Hong Kong at the My Dinh National Stadium on March 5. — VNS