HOT: World top 60 prodigy appointed captain of Vietnam team

Tran Gia Bao, the child prodigy placed in the Guardian's Next Generation top 60, is given the confidence to lead U20 Vietnam as captain.

Tran Gia Bao continues to receive great expectations as the U20 Vietnam coaching staff trusted him with the captain's armband in the first friendly match of the training camp in Japan. COn the afternoon of August 9, U20 Vietnam entered a test match against Osaka University of Economics and ended with a 0-0 draw. Although they were unable to score, this was still a useful test for the coaching staff to evaluate the form and adaptability of the young players.

Earlier, on the morning of August 7, U20 Vietnam departed for a training camp in Japan to prepare for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. The team assembled on August 3 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center with 30 players. The squad includes many faces who participated in the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship in June, along with promising talents such as Nguyen Van Khanh, Bach Trong Duong, Le Tan Dung, Nguyen Van Bach, Nguyen Thien Phu, Tran Gia Bao, and Le Van Hoan.

Among them, Gia Bao is the standout player. Compared to many teammates of the same age, the forward born in 2008 has considerable playing experience at both youth levels and the V-League. Therefore, the coaching staff's decision to give Gia Bao the captain's armband in the first friendly match in Japan is seen as an understandable choice, while also showing the increasing importance of the young striker in the development plan of U20 Vietnam.

Gia Bao's name drew significant attention at the end of 2025 when he became the only representative of Vietnamese football to be included in the 'Next Generation' list of 60 most promising young talents in the world selected by The Guardian. Previously, this striker also made history as the youngest player to score in the V-League. At the youth national team level, Gia Bao has scored against Japan's U17 team, demonstrating remarkable potential.

Notably, Gia Bao did not join U19 Vietnam for the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship. At that time, the 2008-born striker was retained by HAGL to play in the V-League. Gia Bao immediately proved his worth by scoring in two consecutive final rounds, leaving a strong impression with his impressive form. Meanwhile, U19 Vietnam, missing this forward, were eliminated from the group stage of the regional tournament.

After the draw with Osaka University of Economics, U20 Vietnam has a series of test matches in Japan. According to the plan, the team will continue to play on August 10, 12, 13, 15, and 16, facing Koukou High School, Kwansei Gakuin, Gojo High School, JFL Tiamo Hirakata, and Osaka Economic High School respectively. This will be an important opportunity for Gia Bao and his teammates to gain experience and refine their gameplay ahead of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.