Vietnam U19 team screens players, urgently adds overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper

The coaching staff of the Vietnam U19 national team decided to conduct a rigorous screening of players after the first week of training at the VFF Youth Training Center.

According to information from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi decided to call up an additional 10 players to the Vietnam U19 national team roster during the first training camp of 2026.

The additional players called up include: goalkeeper Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc (Sông Lam Nghệ An), Đậu Hồng Phong (Hà Nội), Nguyễn Văn Khánh (Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh), Trần Gia Bảo (HAGL), Đào Quang Anh, Nguyễn Quốc Khánh (PVF-CAND Youth), along with the trio Lê Huy Việt Anh, Nguyễn Văn Bách, Hoàng Trọng Duy Khang (PVF).

These are all familiar faces who have proven their abilities in national youth teams, with many players having previously featured in the Vietnam U17 squad that participated in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025.

Notably, overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper Aaron Tú Vinh Napierala is also given the opportunity to join. Born in 2007, Aaron Tú Vinh Napierala has a Canadian father and a Vietnamese mother and currently holds dual citizenship.

Before returning to Vietnam, this 1.83m tall goalkeeper was trained in Canada and Spain. In 2024, he underwent a trial at Ho Chi Minh City FC and received positive evaluations from the coaching staff, though he still needs more time to further refine and develop his skills.

Alongside adding personnel, the coaching staff of the Vietnam U19 national team has also conducted its first round of squad reduction. Accordingly, 12 players have temporarily ceased training with the team.

However, these players will remain under observation and have the opportunity to be recalled for subsequent training camps.

The addition and adjustment of personnel are part of the two-phase plan for this training camp, aimed at fostering positive competition and providing the coaching staff with further basis for evaluation and selection of the most suitable candidates for the Vietnam U19 team, as they prepare for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship and the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.