OFFICIAL: 'New Hiểu Minh' Called Up to Vietnam U23 Team

Young center-back Trần Hải Anh has officially been summoned to the Vietnam U23 national team, becoming a fresh breeze in the defensive line of the national youth squad during the training camp preparing for the international friendly tournament in China at the end of March.

According to the announcement from VFF, center-back Trần Hải Anh has received the official call-up document to join Vietnam U23 to prepare for participation in the CFA Team China – Xi'an 2026 international football tournament, taking place from March 25 to March 31 in Xi'an city (China). This is seen as a crucial opportunity for the 2005-born player to showcase his abilities and compete for a position in the Vietnam U23 lineup.

Trần Hải Anh, born in 2005 in Quảng Ngãi, possesses a height of 1.83m and an ideal physique for a center-back position. He currently plays for Quảng Ninh Club in the V.League 2 (National First Division). This season, Hải Anh has played 11 matches and become a key defensive pillar for the "Mining Land" team, contributing to the team's stable performance.

Immediately after receiving the good news, Quảng Ninh Club also sent congratulations to this young player. The club announced: “Congratulations to Coach Nguyễn Văn Đàn and center-back Trần Hải Anh for being included in the first 2026 training camp of Vietnam U23 (March 17 – April 1). We wish the coach and player much luck, to successfully fulfill their tasks and national duties”.

With his tall physique, passionate and modern playing style, Trần Hải Anh is expected by the coaching staff to become a potential element for the Vietnam U23 defense in the near future. Many opinions also suggest that this young player could develop following the model of center-back Nguyễn Hiểu Minh if he maintains his form and is given playing opportunities.

According to the plan, Vietnam U23 will assemble from March 17 in Hanoi to prepare for the tournament in China. Initially, the youth national team had no international matches scheduled in March, but due to U23 Iran's withdrawal for objective reasons, the Chinese Football Federation invited Vietnam U23 to participate in the CFA Team China – Xi'an 2026 tournament.

This year's tournament features four teams: host U23 China, U23 Vietnam, U23 Thailand, and U23 North Korea. The teams will compete in a single-round robin format to determine the final rankings.

Notably, because the schedule of the national team coincides with this period, Coach Kim Sang-sik will not be able to directly lead Vietnam U23 in this tournament. The Korean strategist must focus on the Vietnam National Team with a friendly match against Bangladesh and especially the rematch against Malaysia in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying round.