Four Vietnamese players named among Goal’s best ASEAN wonderkids in football

Goal has released its list of the 25 most promising young footballers in the Southeast Asian region, with Vietnam being represented by four players, namely Nguyen Canh Tiep and Nguyen Van Bach (Song Lam Nghe An FC), Vo Nguyen Hoang (Saigon FC), and Nguyen Phi Hoang (SHB Da Nang).

Nguyen Phi Hoang (with arms crossed) is one of the four young Vietnamese players who make the Goal list of 25 best ASEAN wonderkids in football. (Photo: Goal)
Nguyen Phi Hoang (with arms crossed) is one of the four young Vietnamese players who make the Goal list of 25 best ASEAN wonderkids in football. (Photo: Goal)

Nguyen Canh Tiep. (Photo: Goal)

Goalkeeper Nguyen Canh Tiep, who performed brilliantly to help his club lift the trophy at the 2020 National U17 Championship, settled for 23rd place in the Goal list. Having been subsequently awarded the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, Goal considers Canh Tiep to be a gem of Song Lam Nghe An at present.

Vo Nguyen Hoang. (Photo: Goal)

Forward Vo Nguyen Hoang ranks 13th of the 25 ASEAN wonderkids, and is described by Goal as “standing out at youth level due to his impressive physique”. Hoang’s sheer strength and power have helped him represent Vietnam at U-19 level at the age of 17.

Nguyen Van Bach. (Photo: Goal)

Midfielder Nguyen Van Bach comes 11th among Goal’s choices thanks to his breathtaking performances at the 2020 National U17 Championship, which earned him the “Player of the Tournament” title. With his sublime skills, pace and impressive physique, Bach has quickly become one of the new hopes of the nation, Goal said, adding that the creative midfielder can live up to the hype and skyhigh expectations.

Nguyen Phi Hoang. (Photo: Goal)

Nguyen Phi Hoang, the youngest player to appear in the 2020 V. League campaign, is the highest-ranked Vietnamese representative in the Goal list. Hoang, who has been called up for Vietnam’s U-22 squad, has impressed Goal with his pace, power, eye for space, and strength in both attacking and defence.

The top spot of the Goal list goes to Thailand’s Suphanat Mueanta, who is described by the site as “a record breaker, a phenomenon and a real crowd favourite.” At the age of 18, Suphanat Mueanta has become one of the key players in the Thai national squad. The striker, who can also feature from the wings, made his official Buriram United debut as far back as April 2018, at the age of just 15.