The tallest defender in history makes his first start for the Vietnam national team.

Making his debut for the Vietnam U23 team in the match against North Korea U23, Đinh Quang Kiệt steps onto the field with high expectations and a special milestone in his career.

Vietnam U23 begins their opening match of the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament against North Korea U23 at 14:00 on March 25th, featuring several notable personnel experiments. The focus is on defender Đinh Quang Kiệt, a player standing at 1.96 m who is given his first starting opportunity, marking a significant milestone at the U23 level.

The coaching staff's decision is unsurprising considering Quang Kiệt's recent performances. The defender, born in 2007, is one of the most active young players in the V-League, with 24 appearances last season and 15 this season. His trust to start against North Korea U23 is a notable step in the Vietnam U23 team's youth development process.

Not only possessing exceptional height, Quang Kiệt has also gained considerable experience through regular play for HAGL. Playing for a team often under defensive pressure has helped this defender quickly adapt and mature. This path has also been taken by many top Vietnamese defenders in the past.

Notably, Quang Kiệt was a rare case of a "fast-track" call-up to the national team despite limited opportunities at the U23 level. He participated in the September 2025 training camp and played in internal friendly matches. However, it was in the match against North Korea U23 that this defender truly made a clear step forward at the U23 level.

With many key players overage or promoted to the national team, Vietnam U23 brought a young squad from 2005 to 2007 to China. This tournament focuses not on results but on evaluating the squad and building a foundation for the future. Therefore, giving Quang Kiệt this opportunity is part of a long-term strategy.

Against the enigmatic North Korea U23, coach Đinh Hồng Vinh and his team prioritize refining their playstyle and testing personnel. The defense, with Quang Kiệt playing a key role, is crucial. The young defender also candidly acknowledged: “My flexibility is still limited, that's an area I need to improve greatly to better myself. Not just me, the whole team is always ready. On the field, teammates support, cover, and communicate with each other, I believe the team will perform better.”

His first start is not only a personal milestone but also opens the opportunity for Quang Kiệt to secure a long-term position. With a physical foundation hailed as the tallest defender in the history of the Vietnam national team, early match experience, and a progressive spirit, Quang Kiệt stands before a breakthrough opportunity to become a new leader in the Vietnam U23 defense.