Vietnam ready for major clash with Russia, coach makes notable decision

The Vietnamese futsal team is set to take on Russia in the first game of the friendly tournament in Thailand. Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi has revealed a list of 18 players, blending seasoned veterans with many promising young faces.

The futsal team Vietnam has officially entered the final preparation phase for the Continental Championship Friendly Tournament - Thailand 2026, where Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi and his players will face a series of quality opponents. Notably, the opening match against the Russian futsal team is considered a real test of the team's strength, especially as the Argentine tactician has just made a personnel decision that has attracted much attention.

In this training camp, Coach Diego has called up 18 players, combining experienced key players and many young faces who have been in impressive form at the 2026 National Futsal Championship. The familiar core of the team has been retained, including goalkeepers Ho Van Y and Pham Van Tu; defender Nhan Gia Hung; midfielders Chau Doan Phat, Tran Thai Huy, Tu Minh Quang; and two forwards Nguyen Thinh Phat and Nguyen Da Hai.

Alongside the veterans, the biggest highlight of this squad is Coach Diego's bold decision to give opportunities to many young talents. Midfielder Huynh Van Hoai from Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City makes his first appearance after a season of impressive progress. This is seen as a well-deserved reward for the young player, while also opening up a chance for him to gain experience in the national team environment.

In the defender position, Nguyen Trong Kien continues to receive trust after playing a key role in helping Thai Son Bac win the 2026 National Futsal Championship, ending the team's 16-year title drought. Meanwhile, his teammate Nguyen Nhan Nam has also been called up for the first time. The young player is highly regarded for his individual technique, skillful ball handling, and effective angled finishes.

Another new face is Nguyen Thanh Tam from Saigon Titans. Playing as a midfielder, Thanh Tam impresses with his speed, abundant energy, and ability to create breakthroughs in attacking situations. His consistent performances in the domestic league have caught the eye of the coaching staff.

According to the schedule, the Vietnamese futsal team will kick off the friendly tournament with a match against the Russian futsal team at 6:00 PM on August 1st. This is considered the toughest challenge for Coach Diego and his players, as Russia is always regarded as one of the world's top futsal nations with fast-paced, technical play and extensive international experience.

After the match against Russia, the Vietnamese futsal team will then face New Zealand and Afghanistan before concluding the tournament with a clash against hosts Thailand. Playing consecutively against opponents of different levels and styles will be an important opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the squad's quality, test tactical options, and assess the adaptability of young players.

The friendly tournament in Thailand is not only a professional sparring opportunity but also an important stepping stone for the big goals of Vietnamese futsal in the near future. With the combination of experience and youth, along with Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi's decision to give opportunities to many new faces, fans hope that the Vietnamese futsal team will have a positive performance, starting with the much-anticipated big clash against Russian futsal.