ARMS READY: The U19 Việt Nam team train for the coming ASEAN U-19 Boys' Championship 2024 in Indonesia. Photo VFF

Football

HÀ NỘI The U19 Việt Nam team are putting in all their efforts to win the coming ASEAN U-19 Boys' Championship 2024 in Indonesia.

"My teammates and I are giving it our all in training. The whole team is aiming for the championship. I believe Vietnamese football, from the youth level to the national team, is always a top contender in regional tournaments and I'm confident the team will bring home the trophy to please the fans," midfielder Nguyễn Quang Vinh said.

The national team are training at the Việt Nam Youth Football Training Centre in Hà Nội to prepare for the regional event. Vinh hopes to earn a spot on the final roster.

"There are many good players in my position. My task is to meet the requirements of the coaching staff and then I can hope for an official spot," Vinh said.

To prepare for the event to take place in Surabaya, Indonesia from July 17 to 29, the Vietnamese team also had additional training and some friendlies against strong opponents at the U19 friendly international tournament in China last month.

"Through the tournament in China, the coaching staff has had good options to select the squad. We will make adjustments to help the team perform at their best in the coming event," coach Hứa Hiền Vinh said.

The U19s will have around two weeks to prepare for the regional event. The team will have the presence of midfielder Hồ Hữu Hưng, who currently plays for CU Bohemians Praha Club in the Czech Republic, however he will only be joining them from July 5.

"The coaching staff has evaluated Hưng's skills through video recordings of his matches. The remaining task is to wait for him to return and integrate with the whole team. Hopefully, he will have a smooth integration. If he cannot prepare in time for the tournament, there will still be the following training sessions, towards the 2025 AFC U20 Qualifiers," Vinh said.

Việt Nam are in Group B with Laos, Myanmar and Australia. The top three teams from each group and the best second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals.

According to the table Việt Nam will play their opening match against Myanmar on July 18, followed by matches against Australia on July 21 and Laos on July 24, respectively. VNS