Japan's coach urgently summons Vietnamese-Canadian player to Vietnam U19 team

Vietnam U19 adds 10 players to enhance competition and continue improving the squad.

To strengthen competitive quality and further refine the lineup, Vietnam U19 made notable adjustments to the squad during the first assembly of 2026. The decision to additionally summon 10 players by coach Yutaka Ikeuchi reflects a thorough review strategy aimed at identifying the most optimal talents.

The additional call-up list includes many familiar faces from top training academies such as Song Lam Nghe An, Hanoi, HAGL, and PVF. These are players who have proven their abilities at youth levels, with several having previously participated in Vietnam U17 teams at continental competitions.

The inclusion of Vietnamese-Canadian goalkeeper Aaron Tu Vinh Napierala is a notable highlight. With a height of 1.83m and training background in Canada and Spain, the 2007-born player is expected to bring additional competition to the goalkeeper position, which demands high stability and composure.

Not only reinforcing the squad, the coaching staff also boldly streamlined the team. 12 players temporarily left the training camp but remain under observation. This demonstrates a flexible, open approach, ensuring all players still have opportunities if they perform well in the future.

The two-way "reinforcement – filtering" squad management helps the team maintain continuous competitive dynamics. This is key to improving professional quality and motivating each individual to strive for recognition in a highly selective environment.

This adjustment is part of Vietnam U19's long-term preparation plan, targeting important goals such as the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship and the 2027 Asian U20 qualification rounds. Through proactive squad building, the team is gradually shaping a promising core for upcoming challenges.