Several overseas Vietnamese players are eligible to represent U22 Vietnam at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, but securing a spot under head coach Kim Sang Sik will be no easy task.

U22 squad selection and tournament objectives

The SEA Games 33 organizing committee recently confirmed that only U22 players will be allowed in men’s football, eliminating the possibility of selecting overage players like Nguyen Xuan Son.

Despite this restriction, U22 Vietnam has been tasked with reclaiming the SEA Games gold medal. Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President Tran Quoc Tuan stated: "The challenge is significant, but our goal remains reaching the final and aiming for the highest achievement."

To prepare for this challenge, VFF and head coach Kim Sang Sik have been organizing intensive training camps since 2024. In 2025, U22 Vietnam will continue competing in high-quality tournaments, including the Four Nations Cup in China and the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. The team will also join national team training camps to ensure optimal preparation for the SEA Games at the end of the year.

Overseas Vietnamese players in the spotlight

In addition to key domestic players like goalkeeper Trung Kien, Khuat Van Khang, Vi Hao, Thai Son, Van Truong, Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Thanh Nhan, Tran Ngoc Son, and Ho Van Cuong, coach Kim Sang Sik is also considering several overseas Vietnamese talents.

Among the most notable are Viktor Le and Andrej An Khanh, both of whom meet the eligibility criteria for U22 Vietnam. Viktor Le currently plays for Ha Tinh FC and holds Vietnamese citizenship, while Andrej An Khanh is with FK Trinec in the Czech Republic’s top division.

Another promising candidate is center-back Zan Nguyen, a 1.92m-tall defender playing for Ho Chi Minh City FC. Meanwhile, 20-year-old striker Aymeric Faurand Tournaire, who plays for Lavoie in France and previously featured for Brest’s first team in January 2024, has also drawn media attention.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s selection strategy

Among these overseas players, Viktor Le stands out as a strong contender for selection. Trained at CSKA Moscow, he has spent three seasons playing in the V-League, making him well-adapted to the domestic football environment. His experience gives him an edge in integrating into the U22 Vietnam squad for the SEA Games.

Zan Nguyen’s height and confidence on the field make him a valuable asset, provided he receives the right development. Meanwhile, Andrej Nguyen was previously called up to Vietnam’s U23 squad under coach Philippe Troussier but did not play due to limitations in coordination and physical challenges.

As for Faurand Tournaire, his playing time at Lavoie has been limited, primarily coming off the bench. If he wants to catch the attention of coach Kim Sang Sik, he will need to prove himself in upcoming matches.

Ultimately, while these overseas Vietnamese players add depth to the talent pool, the selection process is still in the evaluation phase. Even the most promising candidates must undergo rigorous assessment and secure release from their respective clubs before joining the squad. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s primary focus remains building a cohesive team structure and an optimal playing style to achieve Vietnam’s SEA Games gold medal aspirations.

Dai Nam