The Vietnam Olympic team completed the first two official training sessions at the ASIAD with satisfaction, as the Organizing Committee provided great support for accommodation, travel and training. However, coach Hoang Anh Tuan still had some concerns when the afternoon training session on September 18 witnessed defender Phan Tuan Tai having to leave midway due to pain in his right heel.

Tuan Tai is an important member of the Vietnam Olympic team, as he is a good partner with left-back Minh Trong, often launching sharp attacks and playing intelligently and calmly in defense.

The fact that Viettel Club players are not in the best physical condition will significantly affect the operation of the Vietnam Olympic team, especially the attack front because coach Hoang Anh Tuan wants his students to play impressive ball control like in the 2023 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament.

If Tuan Tai's ability to play is still uncertain, another highly anticipated mainstay, striker Nham Manh Dung, also suddenly encountered another problem when he was found to have pink eye.

During the afternoon practice session on September 18, the striker who scored the only goal in the final match against Thailand, helping Vietnam successfully defend the SEA Games 31 gold medal at home, still went out and practiced hard. However, the fact that his eyes are not in the best condition will significantly affect the playing ability of the player born in 2000, who was added by coach Hoang Anh Tuan to the Vietnam Olympic team.

At this time, doctors are taking necessary measures to ensure the health of Nham Manh Dung as well as the whole team. The good news is that the remaining two strikers Vo Nguyen Hoang and Nguyen Quoc Viet are in good form and performing quite well in training sessions.

It should also be added that Phan Tuan Tai and Nham Manh Dung are the two vice-captains of the Vietnam Olympic team. These unexpected difficulties will be a test for coach Hoang Anh Tuan to demonstrate his tactical skills against Mongolia in the opening match at 3 p.m. on September 19 and further in the remaining two matches of Group B.