35 men called up for national football team’s training camp ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Head coach Park Hang-seo has decided to call up 35 men for the national team’s upcoming gathering aimed at preparing for their remaining matches in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

The Vietnam national team will gather in about a week in Hanoi to prepare for their remaining matches in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. (Photo: Vietnam Football Federation)
The Vietnam national team will gather in about a week in Hanoi to prepare for their remaining matches in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. (Photo: Vietnam Football Federation)

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On the afternoon of May 4, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced the 35-men list for the training camp, scheduled from May 10-26 in Hanoi.

In the list, there are many familiar faces who have featured in the team in its successful period over the past three years, such as talisman Quang Hai, striker Cong Phuong, defender Dinh Trong and keeper Dang Van Lam.

Coach Park also summoned some new faces who have played well at their clubs in recent years such as Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Le Van Xuan and Phan Van Long.

The list also includes some surprises such as midfielder Thanh Binh (Viettel), defender Thanh Thinh (Da Nang) and Ha Tinh midfielder Ly Cong Hoang Anh, who has just returned from injury.

During the camp, Park will also call up key Viettel midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang. Fortunately, Trong Hoang's injury on the 12th matchday of the V.League 1 is not too serious, only costing him two weeks off. Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) midfielder Tuan Anh is also to be called up after returning from injury.

Notably, former SC Heerenveen defender Doan Van Hau is not on the list because he has not completely recovered from injury. Midfielder Huu Tuan (HAGL), who has recently been in good shape is also absent.

List of 35 Vietnamese team players for the training camp in Hanoi from May 10-26

Goalkeepers (4): Bui Tan Truong (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Van Toan (Hai Phong), Nguyen Van Hoang (SLNA), Dang Van Lam (Cerezo Osaka).

Defenders (15): Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong, Le Van Xuan, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Tran Van Kien (Hanoi FC); Vu Van Thanh, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy (HAGL); Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Binh (Viettel); Pham Xuan Manh (SLNA); Ho Tan Tai (Binh Dinh); Nguyen Minh Tung (Thanh Hoa), Do Thanh Thinh (Da Nang).

Midfielders (10): To Van Vu (Binh Duong), Pham Duc Huy, Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC); Nguyen Tuan Anh, Luong Xuan Truong, Tran Minh Vuong (HAGL); Nguyen Trong Hoang, Nguyen Hoang Duc (Viettel); Cao Van Lien (Saigon), Ly Cong Hoang Anh (Ha Tinh).

Forwards (6): Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Cong Phuong (HAGL); Phan Van Duc (SLNA); Nguyen Tien Linh (Binh Duong); Phan Van Long, Ha Duc Chinh (Da Nang).

According to the initially announced plan, the Vietnam team gathering will be divided into two phases – during phase 1, they will gather in Binh Dinh province from May 10 to 18 and are expected to have a friendly match with V.League 1 side Topenland Binh Dinh on May 17.

However, with the complex developments of the COVID-19 epidemic in many localities, the VFF and the team’s coaching staff have agreed to dismiss the training camp in Binh Dinh to ensure the health and safety of team members.

Instead, Park and his players will gather in Hanoi and train at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre from May 10 to 26, then depart for the UAE on the evening of the same day to join the second Asian qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

According to a plan announced by the Asian Football Confederation, teams must be present in the UAE on May 31. Thus, with their early arrival on May 26, Park’s side will have up to 10 days to practice and get familiar with local conditions in the UAE.

On May 31, the Vietnamese team are expected to have a friendly match with Jordan, who were defeated by Park’s side in the Round of 16 at the 2019 Asian Cup.

On June 7, the team will have their first match in the UAE against Indonesia, before meeting Malaysia on June 11, thereafter ending the second qualifying round with a match against hosts UAE on June 15. All matches will take place at 11:45 pm (Vietnam time).

Currently, Vietnam are ranked first in Group G with 11 points, followed by Malaysia (9), Thailand (8), UAE (6) and Indonesia (0). Coach Park’s team need to bag six points in their last three matches to ensure their slot in the final qualifying round.