Coach Kim Sang Sik eliminated Vietnamese-American player Alex Bui

On the afternoon of July 12, the Vietnam U23 team finalized the list of 23 players participating in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament. The tournament will take place from July 15 to 31 in Bekasi and Jakarta (Indonesia).

The 5 eliminated players are Nguyen Duc Viet (Phu Dong Ninh Binh), Nguyen Hong Phuc (The Cong Viettel ), Ho Van Cuong (Song Lam Nghe An), Pham Dinh Hai (Hanoi) and Alex Bui.

Alex Bui was born in 2005, 1m78 tall, trained at Bohemians Praha 1905 (Czech). Alex passed the first test but ultimately did not catch the eye of coach Kim Sang Sik.

The 20-year-old player's biggest weakness is his ability to adapt to the weather. In addition, his technical skills and ability to integrate with his teammates have not convinced the Korean coach.

Coach Kim Sang Sik has eliminated many experienced players who played in the V-League but were not suitable for the team's overall playing style. Alex Bui was given a chance but needed more time.

Ho Van Cuong, Nguyen Duc Viet and Nguyen Hong Phuc are all names that made the U23 Southeast Asia 2023 title. However, they still had to accept being eliminated this time.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's selection process is very calculated. Especially when it is a pre-SEA Games 2025 tournament, which is very important for Vietnamese football and the Korean coach.

According to plan, U23 Vietnam will travel from Ba Ria Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City to catch a flight to Indonesia on July 14. U23 Vietnam is in Group B with Laos and Cambodia.