"Examining" the ability of new recruits

This FIFA Days coincides with the time when U23 Vietnam competes in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers, so coach Kim Sang-sik has given up the responsibility of directing the national team's training to assistant coach Dinh Hong Vinh.

"Strange bird" Hoang Phuc

In the list of the Vietnamese national team this time, there are 3 players from Ho Chi Minh City: center back Tran Hoang Phuc, striker Nguyen Tien Linh (Ho Chi Minh City Police Club) and midfielder Vo Hoang Minh Khoa (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club). Tien Linh and Minh Khoa come from the old Binh Duong Club, are familiar faces wearing the national team jersey. But Hoang Phuc is considered a new player of the Vietnamese team under coach Kim Sang-sik.

When playing for Ho Chi Minh City Club (now Ho Chi Minh City Police Club), Hoang Phuc was a reliable stopper in the defense of the Thong Nhat Stadium team. Hoang Phuc does not have an impressive physique but is a diligent defender and reads situations quickly. In the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 V-League seasons, Hoang Phuc was one of the players who played the most, contributing to helping the "red battleship" successfully stay in the league.

Therefore, when Ho Chi Minh City Club was transferred and renamed Ho Chi Minh City Police Club from the 2025-2026 season, the player born in 2001, originally from Vinh Long, was one of the pillars retained to help the police team affirm its position in the V-League.

Hoang Phuc came from PVF center and was promoted to Pho Hien first team to compete in the First Division in the 2020 season. A year later, he moved to Ba Ria - Vung Tau Club and demonstrated the skills of a powerful central defender. Hoang Phuc's impressive performance soon attracted scouts and he quickly wore the shirt of Ho Chi Minh City Club from the 2023 V-League season.

From this point on, Hoang Phuc gradually gained a position in the starting lineup, combining with goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang to create a solid defense in front of the Ho Chi Minh City Club's goal. Statistics from 2023 show that Hoang Phuc has played 44 matches for the Thong Nhat Stadium team in domestic competitions. Before his first call-up to the Vietnam national team, Hoang Phuc played for the U19 national team in 2019. In 2022, Hoang Phuc was called up to the U23 national team to participate in the U23 Southeast Asian Championship but had to miss the match due to injury.

Commenting on his student, Coach Le Huynh Duc assessed: "Hoang Phuc has a lot of experience playing in the V-League. Hoang Phuc will develop quickly if he knows how to control himself and show his mettle on the field."

Tran Hoang Phuc (right cover) - a new player of the Vietnam national team on the occasion of FIFA Days in September 2025. Photo: HCM City Police Club

"New wind" Dinh Quang Kiet

Similar to Hoang Phuc, central defender Dinh Quang Kiet is also a new player for the Vietnamese team this time. The player of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club is only 18 years old but is already 1.96 m tall, becoming the youngest and tallest player in the history of the Vietnamese team.

Previously, Quang Kiet had tried his hand at the national U16, U19, and even U23 teams but could not compete with his peers. However, when Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club said goodbye to a series of key players before the 2025-2026 season, Quang Kiet had many opportunities to play in the V-League.

Commenting on Quang Kiet, coach Le Quang Trai of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club praised: "We have determined that this is a player with great potential, we must persevere and create maximum opportunities to compete. He has played 3 matches and had a good performance. Compared to last season, he has improved a lot. Hopefully in the coming time, Kiet will improve and contribute more to the club as well as demonstrate his ability when called to the national team."

The Vietnamese team is training hard at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center. It is likely that acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh will give the new players a chance to play in friendly matches with the Hanoi Police Club (September 4) and Nam Dinh Club (September 7).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/soi-nang-luc-tan-binh-196250903215628638.htm