Coach Kim Sang Sik calls up '1.84m striker' to Vietnam U23 squad

The Vietnam U23 team has released the list of players called up for the initial 2026 training session to gear up for key targets in the coming year.

Within this roster, The Viettel Football Club contributes three young talents: Nguyễn Công Phương, Đăng Dương, and Mạnh Hưng.

The selection of these three young players from the military-affiliated club demonstrates the coaching staff's trust in the next generation of athletes and reflects Viettel's consistent quality in youth development over many years.

Among the three summoned players, Nguyễn Công Phương attracts the most attention. The midfielder born in 2006 left a strong impression with the Vietnam U23 team by scoring the decisive goal that helped the team defeat Indonesia U23 1-0 in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship final. That goal not only secured the championship for Vietnam U23 but also made Công Phương more widely recognized by fans.

Công Phương developed from Viettel's youth academy and was early assessed as one of Vietnam football's promising midfielders. He possesses solid technical foundations, modern tactical thinking, and calm ball-handling ability in high-pressure situations. Before being called up to Vietnam U23, Công Phương played key roles in youth national teams such as U17 and U20 Vietnam.

Alongside Công Phương, forward Đăng Dương is another notable figure in this training camp. The young striker from Viettel Football Club boasts an impressive height of 1.84m and a robust playing style, fitting the role of a central striker. Đăng Dương's return to the Vietnam U23 list this time shows the coaching staff still holds high expectations for this young forward with his physique and finishing ability.

Previously, Đăng Dương had been called up to Vietnam U23 during preparations for the Southeast Asian U23 Championship. Although not included in the final tournament squad, this forward quickly proved his capability upon returning to play for Viettel's youth team. In the opening match of the National U21 qualifiers, Dương came off the bench and scored two consecutive goals, contributing to U21 Viettel's emphatic 7-0 victory over their opponent.

The remaining Viettel Football Club player in the training camp is Mạnh Hưng. While not yet a familiar face in national youth teams, Mạnh Hưng is still evaluated as a player with developmental potential. He stands out with fierce competitive spirit, good contesting ability, and flexibility in his gameplay.

The early 2026 training camp is considered a crucial preparatory step for Vietnam U23 towards upcoming major tournaments like the U23 Asian qualifiers and SEA Games. Providing opportunities to young players performing well at club level will help the coaching staff broaden their selection and build a long-term squad.