Vietnam’s U23 football side has locked in a competitive defensive line‑up ahead of the ASIAD 2026 tournament in Nagoya
Five centre‑backs vie for three starting spots in the 3‑4‑3 formation: Lý Đức, praised for his composure and a key role in the U23 SEA Games 33 title, remains the most certain pick. The remaining slots are contested by SLNA’s Lê Nguyên Hoàng, Hải Phòng’s Đặng Tuấn Phong, Đà Nẵng’s Nguyễn Đức Anh and the 1.96 m tall Đinh Quang Kiệt of Công an TP.HCM. Kiệt, the tallest defender in Vietnam’s youth history, logged 24 V‑League matches with HAGL before moving clubs, and helped the senior national team win the ASEAN Cup 2026, debuting in the semi‑final against Malaysia at age 19.
At the opening ceremony on 19 September at Nagoya’s Mizuho Athletics Stadium
Kiệt will carry the Vietnamese flag alongside volleyball star Lê Thanh Thúy (1.93 m), highlighting the nation’s tall athletes. His dual role underscores the confidence placed in him despite limited senior minutes.
The squad’s first match pits U23 Vietnam against U23 Kuwait
Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh fields goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình, who recently kept a clean sheet in a 4‑1 V‑League win, and a back‑line anchored by Lý Đức, Quang Kiệt and Đức Anh. Wingers Phi Hoàng and Minh Phúc, midfielders Quốc Cường and Xuân Bắc, and forwards Thanh Nhàn, Ngọc Mỹ, Quốc Việt, Lê Phát and Văn Thuận complete a roster rich in regional experience, including SEA Games and Asian U23 titles. Analysts expect Vietnam to dominate possession and exploit quick ball circulation, aiming for a narrow victory that secures a place in the quarter‑finals.