Vietnamese overseas star urgently called up, Japanese coach removes 12 players from Vietnam national team

Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, in addition to supplementing 10 players, has excluded 12 athletes from the initial 2026 gathering of Vietnam U19.

To enhance internal competition quality and gradually complete the squad, head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi decided to call up an additional 10 players to the Vietnam U19 national team list for the first training camp of 2026. This is considered a necessary step as the team enters a crucial preparation phase, requiring squad depth and healthy competition among positions to foster development motivation for each individual.

Parallel to strengthening personnel, the coaching staff of the Vietnam U19 team has also conducted the first squad reduction to filter the lineup. Accordingly, 12 players temporarily do not continue training with the team during this phase. However, the door for return remains open as all are on the coaching staff's long-term monitoring list and could be recalled if they perform well with their clubs or in subsequent training camps.

The addition and adjustment of personnel are part of a pre-established two-phase preparation plan, aiming to create a positive and continuous competitive environment. Through this process, the coaching staff will gain more basis to evaluate the expertise, form, and adaptability of each player, thereby selecting the most suitable talents for important tasks such as the 2026 U19 Southeast Asian Championship and the 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The list of additionally called-up players includes: goalkeepers Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc (Sông Lam Nghệ An), Đậu Hồng Phong (Hà Nội), Nguyễn Văn Khánh (Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh), Trần Gia Bảo (HAGL), Đào Quang Anh, Nguyễn Quốc Khánh (PVF-CAND Youth), along with trio Lê Huy Việt Anh, Nguyễn Văn Bách, and Hoàng Trọng Duy Khang (PVF). These are names that have somewhat proven their capabilities in the youth football environment, regularly appearing in domestic tournaments and previous national youth team camps.

Most of them previously participated in the Vietnam U17 squad at the 2025 U17 Asian Cup finals, thereby accumulating valuable international match experience. Continuing to receive opportunities at the U19 level not only helps them maintain development but also establishes a solid foundation for progressing further within the national team system.

Notable in this list is the inclusion of Vietnamese overseas goalkeeper Aaron Tú Vinh Napierala. Born in 2007, he has a Canadian father and a Vietnamese mother, currently holding dual citizenship. With a height of 1.83m and systematic training backgrounds in Canada and Spain, Aaron is assessed as a goalkeeper with rich potential. In 2024, he had a trial period at Ho Chi Minh City FC and received positive feedback from the coaching staff, though still needing more time to refine skills and accumulate professional match experience.

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