Vietnam creates two U23 football teams for tourneys

Vietnam have decided to create two U23 teams managed by two different coaches to attend three major tournaments from August until the end of the year.

Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) held a press conference on Tuesday to appoint Hoang Anh Tuan as the head coach of the Vietnam U23 team that will participate in the upcoming 2023 U23 AFF Cup in Thailand.

Previously, VFF discussed the matter with national head coach Philippe Troussier and received the Frenchman’s consensus for Tuan's appointment.

Coach Troussier will manage the U23 team A at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, while Tuan was assigned to coach U23 team B with a core age group of 18-20 who will attend the 2023 U23 AFF Cup and Asian Games 19.

Tuan led Vietnam youth teams to many achievements in the past. He helped Vietnam U19 team qualify for the 2017 U20 World Cup. His players at that time like Nguyen Quang Hai, Doan Van Hau and Nguyen Hoang Duc are now national team mainstays.

"This is an honor but also a great responsibility for me," said Tuan.

"I have spent more than 30 years in football, including eight years coaching Vietnam youth teams," the veteran continues.

"My mission is to train young players to serve the national team. With all my enthusiasm and efforts, I hope that after the tournaments that we attend, the quality of young players will gradually improve and create a positive change for the next stages of development in their professional football career."

The 2023 U23 AFF Cup hosted by Thailand will take place from August 17 to 26. According to the draw, Vietnam are in group C with the Philippines and Laos. The U23 team have been training at the Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talents Academy since July 29. They will leave for Thailand on August 14 to complete preparation. Vietnam will play a friendly with U23 Bahrain on August 15 before entering the tournament.