Newly-appointed coach of Vietnam’s national football team Hoang Van Phuc has made whole-sale changes, dropping veterans in favour of younger players in preparation for the SEA Games 27.

National team turns to youth

Seasoned players including Hong Son, Minh Duc, Cong Vinh, Quang Hai, Vu Phong, Phan Thanh Hung, Dinh Luat, Van Bien, Tan Truong, and Trong Hoang have been dropped from the national squad.

The former Hanoi T&T coach surprised the public, dropping Trong Hoang. Phuc explained that he had not selected Hoang as he knew the player was mulling over moving to another club. Phuc also wanted to test newly called-up Van Thang and Van Quyet.

“I just want to say that this is only an examination. Any player who fails to meet the requirements could be replaced by more competent replacements,” Phuc emphasised.

The national squad includes nine veteran players who took part in the latest AFF Cup including goalkeeper Thanh Binh, defenders Au Van Hoan, Nguyen Gia Tu, Dao Van Phong, Le Tan Tai, Huynh Quoc Anh, Pham Nguyen Sa, Nguyen Van Quyet, and Pham Thanh Luong.

The new list especially includes 17 players born in the 1990s.

Apart from firmly established players such as Minh Tuan, Manh Dung and Hoang Thien, the participation of Vietnamese Overseas player Mac Hong Quan could be a breath of fresh air for the national team.

Hong Quan participated in U22 Asian qualifications in 2012. He started a trial at German club Hertha Berlin. He took part in a friendship match between U23 Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg on January 9 when his team won 2-1.