U16 Vietnam competes in international football tournament in China in preparation for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers
At the invitation of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the Vietnam U16 national team will participate in the 2025 U16 International Football Tournament, scheduled to take place from May 26 to June 1, 2025, in Hohhot City, China.
24/04/2025 09:49:39
According to information from the CFA, the tournament will feature four youth teams: Vietnam U16, Australia U16, Saudi Arabia U16, and the host team, China U16. The main purpose of the tournament is to provide an opportunity for the players to compete and gain experience in preparation for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will begin in November.
In preparation for this tournament, the Vietnam U16 national team is expected to gather in mid-May in Hanoi. The team will have about two weeks of training before heading to China for the tournament. In terms of personnel, the team will bring together players born in 2009 or later. This age group includes many players who have already been given the opportunity to train and practice with the Vietnam U17 national team during their preparation for the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup. Notable among them are the midfield duo Chu Ngọc Nguyễn Lực and Nguyễn Văn Dương.
Midfielder Chu Ngọc Nguyễn Lực was a key player, starting all three matches in the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup and leaving a strong impression in the middle of the field for Vietnam U17. Meanwhile, midfielder Nguyễn Văn Dương also gained valuable experience when he was substituted in the 79th minute during the 1-1 draw with Japan U17.
With the proactive approach of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in its plan to develop national teams, providing the Vietnam U16 national team with the opportunity to participate in a high-quality tournament in China is expected to help the players grow both professionally and in terms of experience. This will allow them to build international match confidence, ensuring strong preparation for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
