Former Vietnam U23 Player Relegated to Third Division

Once called up to the Vietnam U23 team, Tiêu Exal now has to compete in the Third Division wearing the Trường Giang Gia Định jersey.

Previously regarded as a promising talent in Vietnamese youth football, Tiêu Exal now must restart his career in the Third Division. The center-back of Vietnamese-French descent has officially joined Trường Giang Gia Định Club, accepting to play at a lower tier within the domestic professional football system.

The fanpage of Trường Giang Gia Định Club confirmed that the team reached an agreement to sign Tiêu Exal on a free transfer on the morning of the 27th of Tet. The club’s management believes that the defender, who has experience playing in the V.League and National First Division, will be an important addition for the 2026 season.

In the past, Tiêu Exal was once called up by coach Park Hang Seo to the Vietnam U23 team. However, the player born in 2000 was unable to secure a spot in top-level competitions. Despite his height of 1.83m and good physical foundation, he has yet to make a significant breakthrough in his career.

After leaving TP.HCM Club to move to HAGL,Tiêu Exal failed to convince the coaching staff of the Mountain Club and mostly remained on the bench. In the following seasons, he played for Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu and then TP.HCM Youth, but his professional impact remained limited.

In the most recent season in the First Division, the center-back only appeared 5 times for TP.HCM Youth. This modest number partly reflects the challenging journey of a player once expected to progress further in the national youth teams.

Joining Trường Giang Gia Định in the 2026 Third Division is seen as a suitable step under the current circumstances. In a less pressured environment, Tiêu Exal will have more chances to play, gain experience, improve his form, and regain his former standing in his career.