Vietnam’s 30-man preliminary squad for the International U23 Football Tournament – VinaPhone Cup 2018 and the 2018 Asian Games (Asiad 18) have gathered at Hanoi’s PVF Youth Training Centre, and are training hard in the hopes of finding success at the upcoming competitions.

Vietnam U23s, coached by Park Hang-seo, are training hard towards success at the 2018 Asian Games.

Before heading to Indonesia for the Asiad campaign, Vietnam U23s will play three international friendly matches against the reigning Asian U23 champions Uzbekistan (Aug. 7), Omar (Aug. 5) and Palestine (Aug. 3) in the VinaPhone Cup competition, scheduled to take place at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium from August 3 to 7.

The four-team event will offer an opportunity for coach Park Hang-seo to select the final squad of 23 men, including 20 U23 players and three aged over 23, for the campaign to conquer the Asiad men’s football trophy.

Vietnam's U23 players during training.

Talking with the media, Park spoke of the important role played by the International U23 Tournament – VinaPhone Cup 2018, as three of the four participants, excluding Omar, are going to be competing in Asiad 18. He hailed the event as a valuable opportunity for the Vietnam Olympic team to work on tactics and teambuilding, so that they are prepared to deal with their Asiad opponents.

Vietnam U23s have been drawn in Group D for Asiad 18, alongside Japan, Pakistan, and Nepal. Undoubtedly, Japan are one of the odds-on favourites for the overall title, and the group’s top spot will likely go to the team from the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Park Hang-seo talked about the other group competitors with certain precaution, stating that each of the group games would be like a final match for the Vietnamese team.

As scheduled, Park’s side will depart for Indonesia for their Asiad mission on Aug. 11./.

VNF/NDO