Dinh Bac returns, Bui Alex has a chance to play for U23 Southeast Asia

Bui Alex continues to be on the list of U22 Vietnam. Photo: VFF .

On the afternoon of June 20, Coach Kim Sang-sik announced the list of 35 players for the U22 Vietnam team to prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. Notably, the list includes the return of striker Nguyen Dinh Bac. The player from CAHN has recovered from his injury and can return to play for U22 Vietnam after more than 3 months of treatment.

Dinh Bac broke his fifth toe during a training session in March and was diagnosed with a long-term absence. However, his recovery process was faster than expected.

Dinh Bac is considered one of the most outstanding talents in Vietnamese football today, with good technique, diverse finishing ability and modern playing style. He scored against the Philippines in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and had a beautiful goal against Japan at the 2023 Asian Cup.

In addition, the list of players this time also includes two promising overseas Vietnamese players, midfielder Viktor Le and striker Bui Alex. While Virktor Le performed well in the V.League and participated in recent training sessions, Bui Alex just had his first try with U22 Vietnam in the training session at the end of May and the beginning of June.

Another notable player is Nguyen Ngoc My of Thanh Hoa . The midfielder born in 2005 won the title of Best Player of the 2023 National U19 Tournament and Top Scorer of the 2024 National U21 Tournament. Although he was called up to the Vietnam U23 team in March 2025, Ngoc My missed the opportunity to debut due to a serious injury in the National Cup.

In addition, Coach Kim also called up 8 players who contributed to the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, including goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defender Nguyen Hong Phuc, midfielders Nguyen Van Truong, Khuat Van Khang, Dinh Xuan Tien, and three strikers Nguyen Dang Duong, Le Dinh Long Vu and Nguyen Quoc Viet. Most of them continued to affirm their positions when they were called up to attend the 2024 Asian U23 Finals. In particular, midfielder Khuat Van Khang also regularly plays for the national team.

On the other hand, the U22 squad is missing striker Bui Vi Hao due to a serious knee injury since late March. This player has played prominently in many Asian youth tournaments and scored at the 2024 ASEAN Cup. He needs about 10 months to fully recover after surgery.

According to the plan, U22 Vietnam will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and practice until July 14, before leaving for the U23 Southeast Asian tournament in Indonesia. In the group stage, coach Kim and his team will meet Laos (July 19) and Cambodia (July 22). U23 Vietnam is currently the defending champion with two consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023.

Source: https://znews.vn/dinh-bac-tro-lai-bui-alex-co-co-hoi-da-u23-dong-nam-a-post1562490.html