Vietnamese U19 defender declares ambitious goal, ready to face competition

Young defender Lê Minh Nhật is determined to overcome fierce competition within the Vietnamese U19 team to secure a spot in the final roster.

Young defender Lê Minh Nhật is facing a significant opportunity as he continues to participate in the Vietnamese U19 team's training camp. Amid the team's ongoing player selection process, the PVF-CAND affiliated player demonstrates strong determination to compete for a place in the final list.

Born in 2007, Minh Nhật is regarded as one of the promising central defenders among the current generation of players. Developed through the structured training environment of PVF, he was early cultivated in tactical thinking and playing skills. However, when stepping up to the national team level, this defender acknowledges that the pressure and competition are entirely different compared to the club level.

Sharing before the training session on March 20 afternoon, Minh Nhật stated: “Compared to the club environment, the competition at the national team is very different, training requirements are also higher, demanding each player to exert maximum effort and focus.” This is also a common reality for many young players experiencing the national team environment for the first time, where every position involves fierce competition.

Despite facing pressure, this player maintains necessary confidence. “I do feel some pressure, but I will try to stay relaxed to perform my abilities at their best”, Minh Nhật shared. According to him, the most evident area needing improvement currently is physical fitness, to better cope when facing opponents with superior physique and strength.

Additionally, Minh Nhật revealed that his role model is Hiểu Minh. “I am very impressed with Hiểu Minh of the Vietnamese U23 team. I have watched him play since he was in the First Division and learned a lot”, he said. Having a specific role model helps the young central defender better define his own development path.

From a long-term perspective, the PVF-CAND defender does not hide his grand ambition: “My ultimate goal is to join the national team. For now, I will strive to perform well in the U19 team.” During the squad review process aimed at important tournaments like the 2026 U19 Southeast Asia Championship or the 2027 U20 Asian qualifiers, players like Minh Nhật are facing crucial opportunities to prove their worth and advance further in their career journey.