Top 23 Vietnamese players who participated in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship

Bùi Tiến Dũng is one of the outstanding defenders currently playing for Viettel in the V.League 1. Basic information:

• Date of Birth: October 2, 1995 (age 22), Hà Tĩnh

• Height: 1.76 m

• Weight: 69 kg

Bùi Tiến Dũng, the hero who scored the decisive penalty to secure Vietnam U23's spot in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship semifinals, revealed that it was the most important penalty of his career. That moment truly captured the hearts of millions of Vietnamese football fans.

Đoàn Văn Hậu (born April 19, 1999, in Hưng Hà, Thái Bình) is a football player who developed his career at the Hanoi Football Club academy. He currently plays for Hanoi FC (formerly Hanoi T&T) as a left-back. He was called up to the Vietnam national team at the age of 18 and became the youngest player in the national team in 2017. At U19 Vietnam, he was selected by coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn to join the U19 Vietnam squad for the 2016 AFF U19 Championship. In the match against U19 Malaysia, Văn Hậu scored a stunning header to help his team reach the semifinals with a 3-1 victory. Đoàn Văn Hậu was later called up again for the 2016 AFC U19 Championship, where he scored a memorable long-range goal against U19 North Korea, securing a crucial victory for U19 Vietnam. Following this match, Văn Hậu gained widespread recognition. He was named by the AFC as one of the eight players to watch in the knockout stage of the tournament. Văn Hậu continued his excellent defensive performances, leading U19 Vietnam to the semifinals and securing their first-ever spot at the U20 World Cup. Alongside U20 Vietnam, he participated in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, making history as the first Southeast Asian team to earn points at the U20 World Cup. Văn Hậu was also included in FOX Sports' list of top Asian players at the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup. Today, he remains an outstanding left-back for Vietnam, known for his attacking runs and defensive skills, often compared to Philipp Lahm of the German national team.

Nguyễn Thành Chung (born September 8, 1997) is a footballer who developed his career at the Hanoi T&T Football Club academy. He currently plays as a center-back for Hanoi FC (formerly known as Hanoi T&T). Nguyễn Thành Chung hails from Tuyên Quang and studied at the Hanoi Sports School. He joined the Hanoi T&T youth team in February 2007. In 2015, Thành Chung became a member of the Vietnam U-19 National Football Team, wearing the number 3 jersey during his time with the U19 squad. In December 2017, he was first called up by coach Park Hang-seo to the Vietnam U-23 National Football Team, wearing number 15 in his first friendly match against Ulsan Hyundai FC. Achievements with his team:

• Runner-up in the U17 National Championship: 2014
• National U19 Championship titles: 2014, 2016
• U21 National Football Championship titles: 2013, 2015, 2016
• V.League 1 National Football Championship winner: 2016
• Runner-up in the 2016 National Cup
• Third place in the V.League 1: 2017

Trần Đình Trọng (born April 25, 1997, in Hanoi) is a footballer who developed his skills at the Hanoi T&T Football Club academy. He currently plays as a center-back for Saigon FC. In 2015, Trần Đình Trọng was called up by coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn to join the Vietnam U19 National Team ahead of the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers. However, he had to miss the competition after undergoing an appendix surgery. In 2017, he was recalled to the U20 Vietnam squad for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he played in two matches before being sent off in a game against France, and the team was eliminated in the group stage. Later, Trần Đình Trọng received another call-up by coach Nguyễn Hữu Thắng for Vietnam's 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Jordan. He is currently impressing with his solid defending and crucial clearances while playing for the U23 Vietnam team.

Vũ Văn Thanh (born April 14, 1996) plays as a winger and right-back in the V.League for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai FC. He is currently considered one of Vietnam's best right-backs. Known for his athleticism and modern footballing IQ, Văn Thanh excels both in defense and attack. He is also capable of playing as a midfielder or winger, showcasing versatility that few Vietnamese players can match. Vũ Văn Thanh quick profile:

• Place of Birth: Hải Dương
• Height: 1.70m, Weight: 67kg
• Preferred Position: Right-back
• Achievements:
• Promoted to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai's first team in 2015, playing 18 out of 26 V.League matches and scoring 2 goals.
• Silver medal at the 2013 and 2014 ASEAN U19 Championship.
• Silver medal at the 2014 ASEAN U22 Championship, Champion of the 2014 and 2015 International U21 Tournament.
• Participated in the 2014 AFC U19 Championship finals.

Đỗ Duy Mạnh (born September 29, 1996) is a professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Hanoi T&T in the V-League. He first received a call-up to the national team in 2011 for the Vietnam U-16 squad. Duy Mạnh was later called up to the U-19 Vietnam team in 2013 to compete in the Southeast Asian U-19 Championship. In 2015, he earned a spot in the Vietnam U-23 national team for the 2016 AFC U-22 Championship qualifiers and was also selected to join the national team for an international friendly against Manchester City. At the beginning of 2016, he was officially included in the roster for the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship in Qatar. On January 14, 2016, Duy Mạnh scored his first goal for the U-23 Vietnam team in the competition, although Vietnam lost 1-3 to U-23 Jordan. Alongside Đình Trọng and Tiến Dũng, Duy Mạnh formed a solid center-back trio for U-23 Vietnam, demonstrating his calm demeanor, excellent game-reading ability, and experienced decision-making in each match.

Lê Văn Đại (born May 13, 1996, in Thanh Hóa, Vietnam) is a professional footballer who currently plays for FLC Thanh Hóa in the V.League. Some details about Lê Văn Đại:

• Height: 1.80m, Weight: 78kg
• Position: Center-back
• 2011: Joined Thanh Hóa youth team
• 2016: Promoted to the senior team and loaned to Đồng Nai
• 2017: Played for FLC Thanh Hóa in the V.League, Runner-up in V.League 2017

Phạm Đức Huy (born January 20, 1995) is a footballer who grew up at the Hanoi T&T football academy. He currently plays for Hanoi T&T as a midfielder. Đức Huy is originally from Thanh Miện. After participating in the National Children's Football Tournament in 2006, he joined the Hanoi T&T academy to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player. During his time in the youth team, Đức Huy and his teammate Duy Mạnh had the opportunity to train for a month with the Consadole Sapporo club in Japan. In 2015, Phạm Đức Huy was loaned by Hanoi T&T to Hanoi FC (now known as Sai Gon FC) to play in the National First Division. He wore jersey number 15 and, alongside Đỗ Hùng Dũng and Nguyễn Quang Hải, was a key part of Hanoi FC’s promotion campaign. In the 2017 season, he played 5 matches for Hanoi T&T in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup 2017. In the AFC Cup, he scored from a distance of 30m against Felda United, contributing to a 4-1 victory for the capital club. This goal was later voted as one of the tournament's best goals. Đức Huy was called up to the U19 Vietnam national team for the 2014 AFC U19 Championship qualifiers and the 2013 ASEAN U19 Championship. Under coach Toshiya Miura, he was also called up to the U23 Vietnam team for the 28th SEA Games and the 2016 AFC U23 Championship. After a brief period of absence, coach Park Hang-seo recalled him to the U23 national team at the end of 2017.

Nguyễn Quang Hải (born April 12, 1997) is a footballer who developed at the Hanoi T&T academy. He currently plays for Hanoi T&T as a midfielder and has been a member of the Vietnam U-19 national team since 2014. Quang Hải became famous due to his remarkable achievements in youth competitions in Vietnam. The media referred to him as the 'King of Youth Tournaments'. In 2013, Quang Hải won the U21 National Championship with Hanoi T&T youth team, becoming the first 16-year-old to win this title. The following year, Quang Hải captained the U19 Hanoi T&T team and won back-to-back individual awards as the 'Best Player' in both the U17 and U19 National Championships in 2014, leading the U17 team to second place and the U19 team to the championship. In 2015, Quang Hải once again won the U21 National Championship, even though he missed the final due to injury. In 2016, he led the U19 and U21 Hanoi T&T teams to national titles, winning 'Best Player of the Final' in both competitions. In the 2017 V.League, Quang Hải scored 5 goals for Hanoi T&T and made significant contributions with his “stunning” goals. At the end of the season, Hanoi T&T finished third in the league, and Quang Hải was awarded the 'Best Young Player' and the 'Vietnam Bronze Ball' in 2017. Quang Hải also scored both goals for Vietnam in the group stages of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, showcasing his excellent technical skills.

Trương Văn Thái Quý (born August 22, 1997) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for Hanoi FC. Before being promoted to the Vietnam U23 national team by coach Park Hang-seo for the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, Thái Quý was considered a key player for the U20 Vietnam team that secured a spot in the World Cup. Unfortunately, a serious injury during a training camp in Germany deprived him of the chance to participate in the biggest youth football tournament in the world at the age of 20. Despite performing well and establishing himself at Hanoi FC, Thái Quý has struggled to break into the U23 Vietnam team compared to his peers like Quang Hải, Đình Trọng, Tiến Dũng, Tiến Dũng, and Văn Hậu. This explains why he has yet to feature in the AFC U23 Championship.

Nguyễn Trọng Đại (born April 7, 1997, in Hải Dương) currently plays as a midfielder in the Vietnamese First Division for Viettel FC. Personal Information:

• Born on 7th April 1997 in Cẩm Điền, Cẩm Giảng, Hải Dương
• Height: 1.80m, Weight: 71kg
• Position: Central Midfielder, Center-back
• Joined Viettel in 2009

Achievements:

• Won the Second Division title in 2015, Runners-up in the First Division 2016 with Viettel
• Runners-up at the 2015 AFF U19 Championship with Vietnam U19
• Third place at the 2016 U21 Nations Cup with Vietnam U19
• Champion of the 2016 KBZ Bank Cup with Vietnam U19
• Secured a spot in the 2017 U20 World Cup with Vietnam U19

He was one of the three U19 players called up to the Vietnam U23 national team for the 2016 AFC U23 Championship under coach Miura.

Bùi Tiến Dụng (born November 23, 1998, in Ngọc Lặc, Thanh Hóa) is a footballer currently playing as a midfielder for SHB Đà Nẵng in the V.League 1. In 2010, Tiến Dụng joined the Thường Xuân Football Training Center (Thanh Hóa). When the center dissolved in 2012, he was selected to join PVF. In 2016, he was loaned to Than Quảng Ninh to play in the national league. Tiến Dụng's older brother, Bùi Tiến Dũng, also played for the Vietnam U19 team in 2016. Achievements: Southeast Asian U19 Championship

• Silver Medal: 2015
• Bronze Medal: 2016

V.League 1 National Cup: Gold Medal (1): 2016

Lương Xuân Trường (born April 28, 1995, in Tuyên Quang) is a footballer currently playing for Gangwon FC in South Korea, on loan from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, and for the Vietnam national team in the midfielder position. Xuân Trường is one of the first graduates of the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal - JMG Football Academy. On November 16, 2012, Arsenal’s technical director Steve Morrow decided to invite four players from the academy—Tuấn Anh, Công Phượng, Xuân Trường, and Đồng Triều—to train and play with Arsenal’s U17 team in London. He is the captain of Vietnam’s U23 team, known for his long passes and excellent ball distribution. His ability to connect the different lines on the field makes him a key player.

Nguyễn Văn Toàn (born April 12, 1996) is a footballer who plays as a forward for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the V.League 1 and the Vietnam national team. Nguyễn Văn Toàn has represented Vietnam at various youth levels, including U-19 and U-23. He made his debut for the senior national team on March 24, 2016, in a World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei.Achievements: National Team

• Southeast Asian U19 Championship:
  • Runners-up: 2013, 2014
• Hassanal Bolkiah Cup:
  • Runners-up: 2014
• Thanh Niên Newspaper International U21 Football Tournament:
  • Champions: 2014, 2015
• Southeast Asian Games:
  • Third place: 2015

Individual

• Top Scorer of Southeast Asian U19 Championship: 2013

He is known for his fiery passion on the field, always giving more than 100% effort whenever he plays.

Châu Ngọc Quang (born in 1996) is a midfielder for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in V-League. In the context of a midfield crisis at HAGL, with Tuấn Anh injured, Xuân Trường playing abroad, and Ideguchi no longer being the top choice in the center, Châu Ngọc Quang remains the team's only hope. Mature and composed in each match, Quang is truly a ‘rough diamond’ being polished for a bright future at the mountain city club.

Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy (born June 13, 1996, in Chơn Thành, Bình Phước) is affectionately known as the Gareth Bale of U19 Vietnam. A player for the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Football Club and a member of the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal JMG Academy, he also plays for U-19 Vietnam and U-23 Vietnam. He is versatile, capable of playing both as a midfielder and a defender. Initially placed in the youth development team, Hồng Duy was quickly promoted by Coach Graechen to play with the HAGL Arsenal JMG Academy. He was one of the first students of the academy’s first intake, rapidly becoming a key player and earning a spot on the U19 Vietnam national team. However, his career faced challenges as he was frequently rotated between midfield and defense. When the team suffered from player shortages, Coach Graechen tested Duy in the left-back position. Surprisingly, he performed well in this new role and became the main left-back for U19 Vietnam. But as he faced stronger opponents, his defensive weaknesses became apparent, as his natural tendency was to distribute the ball rather than clear it. In some games, this led to mistakes and goals conceded. If given the chance to play in the U23 Asian Cup, Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy must focus intensely to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Phan Văn Đức (born April 11, 1996) is a footballer for Sông Lam Nghệ An. He excels as a winger, where his quick and precise ball handling is his standout trait. With 8 goals in the V.League and the National Cup, Văn Đức has the confidence to showcase his abilities. His hard work has been duly rewarded, and now he is helping his team continue their fairytale run as they prepare for the upcoming semifinals.

Phạm Xuân Mạnh (born March 2, 1996) is a Vietnamese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sông Lam Nghệ An. Coach Park Hang Seo has emphasized that he will create fair competition within the Vietnam national teams and strive to identify the best players. There was a time when Phạm Xuân Mạnh felt disheartened after not being called up for the U23 Vietnam training camp, but he never gave up hope. The young player from SLNA continued to believe in the 'miracle' from the South Korean strategist and finally had his dream fulfilled. Xuân Mạnh has proven his talent and consistency while playing as a right-back, showcasing his determination and ability to adapt.

Nguyễn Công Phượng, born on January 21, 1995, in Nghệ An, stands at 1.68 meters. He currently plays for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in V.League 1. Trained at the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai – Arsenal – JMG football academy, he traveled to Mali for training in 2010 alongside Nguyễn Anh Tuấn. Known for his exceptional ball control, he was once dubbed the 'Messi of Vietnam.' Every time he touches the ball, the crowd falls silent, captivated by his movements. His ability to create breakthroughs in the penalty area has made him one of the most fouled players. With his skills, Công Phượng and the other players from the academy's first class are seen as a breath of fresh air for Vietnamese football. His career includes stints with U19 Vietnam (2013–2014), U23 Vietnam (2015), and the Vietnam national team in 2015. His achievements include two silver medals at the U19 ASEAN Championship (2013, 2014), two gold medals at the Thanh Niên International U21 Championship (2014, 2015), being named Best Player and Top Scorer at the 2014 U21 tournament, and being awarded Vietnam's Best Young Player in 2015. Today, Công Phượng remains one of the most dynamic forwards for Vietnam in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship. With his talent and class, we can certainly expect moments of brilliance from him in the upcoming matches.

Hà Đức Chinh (born September 22, 1997, in Minh Đài, Tân Sơn, Phú Thọ) is a player for SHB Đà Nẵng, playing as a forward. He was part of the Vietnam U-20 team that participated in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.Basic Information

• Height: 1.78m

• Weight: 66kg

• Current team: SHB Đà Nẵng

• Award Nomination: Vietnam Golden Ball - Best Young Player

Đức Chinh is known for his physical strength, quick decision-making, and dangerous runs that often result in goals.

Bùi Tiến Dũng (born February 28, 1997, in Thường Xuân, Thanh Hóa) is a goalkeeper for FLC Thanh Hóa. He has a younger brother, Bùi Tiến Dụng, who is also a professional footballer and played alongside him in the Vietnam U-23 team in 2018. Bùi Tiến Dũng made 3 appearances as a starter for the Vietnam U-20 team at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Initially starting his career as a central defender in a youth team in Thanh Hóa, he was moved to the goalkeeper position due to a shortage in the squad. Surprisingly, he excelled in this role. Under the guidance of the South Korean coach, Bùi Tiến Dũng became the team's first-choice goalkeeper, with the coach's decision proving to be a wise one. He has since earned a starting spot, playing outstandingly and providing solid defense for the team during the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.Achievements:

• 2016 Southeast Asia U-19 Championship
• 2016 Southeast Asia U-19 Championship Bronze Medal
• 2017 V.League 1 Runners-up
• Participated in the 2017 U-20 World Cup

Goalkeeper Đặng Ngọc Tuấn was born in 1995 in An Giang. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for the V-League club SHB Đà Nẵng. Đặng Ngọc Tuấn grew up in the youth system of An Giang FC. He played a key role in helping An Giang's U21 team reach the finals of the 2015 U21 National Championship, where they finished as runners-up. That year, the 1.81m tall goalkeeper was awarded the Best Goalkeeper title for his excellent positioning and sharp reflexes. Đặng Ngọc Tuấn was also part of the Vietnam U23 squad for the M-150 Cup in Thailand, though he didn’t make a significant impact during the tournament.

Nguyễn Văn Hoàng is a goalkeeper for the Saigon FC in the V-League. Born on February 17, 1995, standing at 1.86 meters tall, Nguyễn Văn Hoàng was selected for the Vietnam U23 squad for the M-150 Cup in Thailand, and is currently one of the three goalkeepers for the U23 national team. His reflexes in goal are sharp, and he makes sound decisions when coming off his line. Given the chance, Văn Hoàng could certainly make valuable contributions to the Vietnam U23 team.