Defender Trần Đình Trọng was called to the national U23 team for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. — Photo baomoi.com

HÀ NỘI — Head coach Park Hang-seo announced his squad for the 2020 AFC U23 Championships which begins on Sunday.

The South Korean coach made a few surprise choices, adding defender Trần Đình Trọng and striker Nhâm Mạnh Dũng into his final list.

The pair didn’t make the original cut, but injuries to Nguyễn Trọng Đại and striker Trần Danh Trung forced Park to make changes.

Central defender Trọng suffered a knee injury in May, 2019 and since then he hasn’t played any matches since. He played a key role in the success of Việt Nam team in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship and AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.

Park also kept faith with Nguyễn Trọng Hùng and Đỗ Thanh Thịnh, who have both recovered from injuries sustained during the SEA Games.

The 2020 AFC U23 Championships finals will be held in Thailand between January 8-26.

Việt Nam are in Group D together with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and North Korea.

On January 10, Việt Nam will kick off their campaign against the UAE, before facing Jordan on January 13. They will wrap up the group stage against North Korea on January 16.

Việt Nam have set a goal of making the last three to book a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. — VNS

The list of U23 team:

Goal keepers: Bùi Tiến Dũng, Nguyễn Văn Toản, Y Êli Niê

Defenders: Nguyễn Thành Chung, Trần Đình Trọng, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, Bùi Tiến Dụng, Hồ Tấn Tài, Nguyễn Đức Chiến, Lê Ngọc Bảo, Huỳnh Tấn Sinh

Midfielders: Trương Văn Thái Quý, Nguyễn Quang Hải, Đỗ Thanh Thịnh, Trần Thanh Sơn, Triệu Việt Hưng, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, Nguyễn Hữu Thắng, Nguyễn Trọng Hùng

Strikers: Hà Đức Chinh, Nguyễn Tiến Linh, Trần Bảo Toàn, Nhâm Mạnh Dũng.