U.23 Vietnam becomes stronger with the addition of a perfect piece: a talented overseas Vietnamese player

Mr. Kim Sang-sik is probably very happy to have in his hands a squad of experienced and talented players at his age. The top environment of V-League as well as the first division has created excellent factors in each position such as goalkeeper Trung Kien; center backs Ly Duc, Nhat Minh, Hieu Minh; midfielders Van Truong, Van Khang, Thai Son; striker Dinh Bac... Having been trained in a harsh environment, the U.23 Vietnam players are not at all intimidated in the fiery pan of Gelora Bung Karno in Indonesia, a place that always makes every opponent tremble.

Photo: Minh Tu

What is even more gratifying for Mr. Kim is that Vietnamese football has just welcomed more quality young overseas Vietnamese players. These are all players of age to compete in the SEA Games and are the future of the Vietnamese team. First of all, overseas Vietnamese midfielder Do Nguyen Thanh Chung has just returned from Bulgaria to play for Ninh Binh Club in the new season. Thanh Chung was born and raised in Bulgaria with both parents being Vietnamese. At only 20 years old, he has a long history in the Bulgarian National Championship with Slavia Sofia Club. He has also played for the Bulgarian U.19 and U.21 teams but has not played for the national team so he is still eligible to play for the Vietnamese team.

According to Transfermaker, he is valued at 400,000 euros (about more than 12 billion VND) and has a playing style that is likened to a "miniature N'Golo Kante" thanks to his energetic and comprehensive playing style. Although only 1.75 m tall, this midfielder born in 2005 possesses an impressive physical foundation, good technique and is especially outstanding in his ability to recover the ball, intercept and launch attacks from the midfield. In particular, he has Vietnamese nationality, so he is fully qualified to play for the Vietnamese national team if called up by coach Kim Sang-sik.

U.23 Vietnam is like a "tiger with wings"

The second player is Brandon Ly, who has just signed a contract to play for the Hanoi Police Club. This player was born and raised in England, with a Vietnamese father and an Irish mother. From a young age, he showed his talent for football and was trained in a strict professional environment in the foggy country. He has played for the youth teams of Sheffield United (U.18), Hyde United and especially U.21 Burnley. Brandon Ly's position is defensive midfielder, where he shows his ability to recover the ball, control the tempo of the match and his outstanding physical strength. In addition, his flexibility allows him to play well in the position of central midfielder or right-back, making him a highly appreciated talent. If he soon has Vietnamese nationality, he will be a necessary piece for U.23 Vietnam at the upcoming 33rd SEA Games.

In addition, the 2025-2026 V-League season may also see the appearance of another overseas Vietnamese player from England, striker Lee Williams. He was born in 2005 and currently plays for Warrington Town, a team competing in the National League North (level 6 of English football), on loan from Stockport County Club. His father is English and his mother is of mixed Vietnamese and Chinese descent (his maternal grandfather is Vietnamese). On his personal page, Lee Williams shares pictures showing that he is in Hanoi, ready for a new journey in his career. With an ideal height of 1.88 m, he is a modern striker, good at playing independently, active and capable of playing as a wall.

Obviously, U.23 Vietnam will be even stronger if these quality overseas Vietnamese players join.