OFFICIAL: Coach appointed to replace Kim Sang Sik for U23 Vietnam

While Kim Sang Sik is occupied with the senior team, the U23 Vietnam side will be handled by a different head coach.

Coach Dinh Hong Vinh will directly lead U23 Vietnam during the training camp from July 29 to August 6 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center. This manager continues to be trusted by Coach Kim Sang Sik to hold the position of Acting Head Coach, as the Korean strategist is currently with the national team at the ASEAN Championship 2026.

Mr. Dinh Hong Vinh being in charge of U23 Vietnam is seen as a suitable option to ensure professional continuity between the different levels of the national teams. Recently, this coach has frequently been part of the U23 Vietnam coaching staff, directly observing, evaluating, and working with most of the young players. He is also well aware of Coach Kim Sang Sik's direction for building a squad towards ASIAD 2026.

For this training camp, U23 Vietnam has called up 29 players, including many faces who participated in the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals and the CFA Team China international friendly tournament. Notable names include goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, defender Vo Anh Quan, midfielders Nguyen Xuan Bac, Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, Nguyen Phi Hoang, Le Van Thuan, Le Viktor, Nguyen Cong Phuong, along with two strikers Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Quoc Viet.

However, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh cannot yet have the strongest squad at his disposal. Some players are on duty with the Vietnam national team, while many others have returned to their clubs to prepare for the new V.League season. Therefore, the training plan will be adjusted flexibly to ensure a balance between the preparation of U23 Vietnam and the interests of the parent clubs.

During the more than one week of training, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's most important task is to review fitness, test tactical adaptability, and evaluate additional factors that could strengthen the squad. This is a short but important training camp, helping the coaching staff continue to refine the core before entering the final preparation phase for the continental tournament.

ASIAD 2026 will take place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. In men's football, 15 teams are divided into four groups, including three groups of four teams and one group of three teams. U23 Vietnam is in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait. With limited time remaining, the training camp under Coach Dinh Hong Vinh will be a necessary step for the team to determine the optimal squad for the goal of advancing past the group stage.