New coach summoned to Vietnam U23 team

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has issued a summons for coach Nguyen Van Dan to join the Vietnam U23 coaching staff during the training camp preparing for the CFA Team China – Xi'an 2026 international friendly tournament, taking place from March 25 to March 31 in Xi'an (China).

According to the plan, Vietnam U23 will assemble from March 17 in Hanoi before departing to China to participate in the tournament. This is an international friendly tournament organized in a single-round format with the participation of four teams: China U23 (host), Vietnam U23, Thailand U23, and North Korea U23.

Initially, Vietnam U23 had no plans for international matches during the FIFA Days in March. However, after Iran U23 withdrew due to objective reasons, the Chinese Football Association sent an invitation for Vietnam U23 to participate in this tournament.

A notable point is that head coach Kim Sang-sik will not directly lead Vietnam U23 at this CFA Team China tournament. The Korean strategist must focus with the Vietnam National Teampreparing for the friendly match against Bangladesh and especially the encounter with Malaysia in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Coach Nguyen Van Dan (born 1976) is a former national team player and served for many years as an assistant to coach Park Hang-seo in the Vietnam national team. Currently, he holds the role of head coach of Quang Ninh Club in the national Third Division since 2024. In his coaching career, he has worked as an assistant at HAGL, coached Phu Dong, Quang Ninh, and is known for a football philosophy leaning towards ball control.

Since taking charge at Quang Ninh in August 2024, Mr. Dan has played a key role in building the "Mine Land" club towards greater professionalism, while also helping many young players develop.

Besides this strategist, Quang Ninh Club has another representative called up to Vietnam U23: center-back Tran Hai Anh. The player born in 2005 has a height of 1.83m and is evaluated to have a physique and playing style suitable for a modern center-back position.

This season, Hai Anh has played 11 matches and gradually become an important defensive pillar for the "Mine Land" club. With good physical foundation and an enthusiastic playing style, this young defender is expected to be a potential element for Vietnam U23's defense in the future.

Many experts even believe that if he continues to maintain his form and receives more playing opportunities, Tran Hai Anh could develop following the model of center-back Nguyen Hieu Minh, one of the promising defensive faces in Vietnamese football today.

The participation of coach Nguyen Van Dan and young center-back Tran Hai Anh is not only a pride for Quang Ninh Club but also an opportunity for both to prove their capabilities in the national team environment.