Cong Phuong's generation is gradually moving away from the Vietnamese national team.

The Vietnam national team has just announced a list of 24 players who will gather from August 29 in Hanoi . This is the third gathering in 2025, and is also an important test before the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

The highlight is not only the new faces appearing, but also the absence of a generation that has been closely associated with the team for nearly a decade.

Quang Hai's generation of players born in 1997 will lead the Vietnamese team.

Age limit 30

What's special about this list is that half of the team is under 26 years old, including: Dinh Quang Kiet (18), Nguyen Van Viet (23), Quan Van Chuan, Phan Tuan Tai, Tran Hoang Phuc, Nguyen Hai Long, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa (24), Pham Gia Hung (25), Dang Van Toi, Truong Tien Anh, Ly Cong Hoang Anh (26).

The team's main players are from the 1997 generation with familiar faces such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Tien Linh, and Nguyen Thanh Chung.

In the list of Vietnam team, there are only 4 players over 29 years old: Do Duy Manh, Pham Xuan Manh, Chau Ngoc Quang, and especially only Doan Ngoc Tan (1994) over 30 years old. These are all individuals with healthy and professional lifestyles.

Coach Kim Sang-sik showed determination in his plan to rejuvenate the squad, placing his trust in the next generation. This can be seen as a milestone marking a change in the team's mindset in using personnel.

Of course, the Korean coach cannot completely rejuvenate the team because at this time, U23 Vietnam is focusing on the qualifying round of the U23 Asia and further on the 33rd SEA Games at the end of the year. If the U23 Vietnam players perform well, it is entirely possible that Mr. Kim will continue the philosophy of "rejuvenation with inheritance" to aim for a Vietnam team with more desire to compete in the qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

Ignore the gossip

The list of Vietnam national team players in September 2025 reflects a generational transition, when the faces that made up the Vietnamese football brand in the 2018-2022 period gradually step back, or become a bridge for the new generation.

Players who have turned 30 like Cong Phuong are gradually leaving the Vietnamese national team.

Coach Kim Sang-sik has long been decisive in personnel work, with the criteria for selecting players based on performance and tactical suitability. With the current situation of regional football, the coaching staff is forced to continue building a team with a different look, more youthful and more ambitious.

There may still be debates and regrets, especially for those who love Cong Phuong and his teammates. But from a strategic perspective, Coach Kim Sang-sik's bold change shows his determination to renew the team, preparing for the long-term future instead of clinging to glorious memories of the past. It is a bold move, and also a clear message: Cong Phuong's generation is gradually moving away from the Vietnamese team.

In the near future, the Vietnam national team will be led by acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, with head coach Kim Sang-sik taking over the U23 Vietnam job. The two friendly matches against Cong An Ha Noi (September 4) and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh (September 7) will be an opportunity for the coaching staff to maintain the operating rhythm, review personnel, and more importantly, create opportunities for the young players to show their abilities.

Source: https://znews.vn/the-he-cong-phuong-xa-dan-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-post1580151.html