U23 Vietnam returned home with the championship trophy, wrapping up a perfect journey at the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025
On July 31, the U23 Vietnam team returned home, officially concluding a successful campaign at the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025 with their third consecutive title – an unprecedented achievement in the tournament’s history.
31/07/2025 09:25:29
The team departed from Jakarta (Indonesia) at 1:50 PM and landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) at 6:15 PM the same day. At the arrival hall, head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players were warmly welcomed by fans and a large number of journalists. Representing the leadership of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Vice President Nguyễn Xuân Vũ presented flowers and extended congratulations to the entire team for their outstanding achievement.
The atmosphere at the airport turned lively as head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players were quickly surrounded by fans eager to offer congratulations and take commemorative photos. Some players from southern-based clubs parted ways with the team in Ho Chi Minh City, while the majority of the squad continued their journey to Hanoi on an 8:00 PM flight.
At Noi Bai International Airport, the U23 Vietnam team continued to receive a warm and formal welcome from leaders of the sports sector and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Present to greet the team were Mr. Hoàng Đạo Cương – Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh – Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports; and Mr. Hoàng Quốc Vinh – Head of the Elite Sports Department. Representing VFF were Vice President Nguyễn Trung Kiên, General Secretary Nguyễn Văn Phú, Head of the National Teams Department Đoàn Anh Tuấn, along with a large number of reporters, supporters, and families of the players.
Speaking to the media, head coach Kim Sang Sik expressed his pride in returning home with the championship: “First of all, I’m very happy to receive such a warm welcome from the fans. The players gave their all to win this title, and they truly deserve it. Through this tournament, they have gained valuable experience for the road ahead.”
Coach Kim Sang Sik also affirmed that he and the coaching staff will continue to closely analyze opponents such as Thailand and Indonesia to ensure the best preparation for upcoming campaigns, including the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games. The Korean strategist emphasized the importance of building a unified tactical system across all levels of the national teams to support the development and integration of young talents. “For U23 Vietnam, the door is always open for them to strive to become part of the senior national team,” said Kim Sang Sik.
This championship marks the third consecutive time U23 Vietnam has claimed the AFF U23 title (2022, 2023, 2025) – a proud record that further affirms the leading position of Vietnamese youth football in the region.
According to the plan, coach Kim Sang Sik and his players will regroup at the end of August to prepare for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
