Hot football news morning of May 29: Vietnamese football also has its own 'Haaland'

Vietnamese women's football ranks in Asia's top 6, U19 Vietnam has only just landed in Indonesia and is already being chased by reporters, a Vietnamese-born prodigy at RB Salzburg is creating a sensation across Europe, while Arteta and Kimmich both issue 'battle cries' ahead of the season's most crucial games.

Vietnamese women's football creates an earthquake in Asia

Vietnamese women's football continues to make a big splash as it was officially ranked 6th in Asia by the AFC in the club-level rankings for the 2025/26 season. This is an extremely important milestone because this ranking will directly affect participation slots and seed groups in Asian women's tournaments for the 2027/28 season.

The biggest highlight comes from the impressive journey of Ho Chi Minh City women's club in the AFC Women's Champions League, where the Vietnamese representative convincingly passed the group stage before stopping in the quarterfinals. With a total of 68,522 points, Vietnamese women's football currently leads Southeast Asia, far ahead of rivals such as Thailand or the Philippines.

Although dropping one spot due to the strong surge of North Korea, the position of Vietnamese women's football is still considered increasingly formidable on the continental map.

U19 Vietnam has just arrived in Indonesia and is causing a frenzy

U19 Vietnam has officially arrived in Indonesia to prepare for their campaign to conquer the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship. After nearly a full day of continuous travel, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his players maintained stable physical and mental conditions thanks to careful preparations by the Vietnam Football Federation.

Notably, as soon as they set foot at Medan airport, U19 Vietnam immediately became the center of media attention in Indonesia, as a large number of local reporters appeared to film and eagerly gather information. This shows the immense appeal of the young Vietnamese team ahead of this year's tournament.

With a squad of talented players and thorough preparation, U19 Vietnam is expected to make a strong impression, especially in the clash against host Indonesia in Group A.

Overseas Vietnamese rising star causes a sensation in Europe

Vietnamese-heritage defender Nguyen Quoc Khai is becoming a name that makes Vietnamese football fans particularly interested after a stellar season with U18 Red Bull Salzburg. At 17 years old, the player of Vietnamese-Austrian heritage won the national U18 championship with the Austrian youth team, finishing a full 17 points ahead of the second-placed team.

Although he was only promoted from U16 in February 2026, Quoc Khai quickly made 7 appearances for U18 RB Salzburg, a sign that he is highly rated at the academy that has produced many top European stars. Not only does he play for Austrian youth teams, the 2009-born prodigy also impresses with his versatile playing ability and is expected to soon become a new 'gem' for Vietnamese football in the future.

Arteta declares war on PSG

Arsenal is on the verge of writing the greatest season in its history as it reaches the Champions League final against PSG. Ahead of the big clash in Budapest, coach Mikel Arteta affirmed that the recent Premier League title has helped the 'Gunners' completely shed the psychological pressure of being labeled 'also-rans' for many years.

The Spanish strategist emphasized Arsenal is no longer afraid but full of desire to conquer Europe. 'We have achieved it and must turn that feeling into a tsunami of ambition,' Arteta confidently declared.

Although admitting Arsenal had been in crisis due to injuries and self-doubt, Arteta still brought the team back to the top with flexibility and pragmatism. If they beat PSG, Arsenal will win the Champions League for the first time in nearly 20 years of waiting.

Kimmich sends World Cup war letter

Joshua Kimmich recently drew attention by declaring that the German national team does not need the label of 'title contender' ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The captain of 'die Mannschaft' asserted that the most important thing for the German team right now is team spirit and unity after a prolonged period of crisis.

The Bayern Munich star said the atmosphere in the dressing room has completely changed, as every player fights for the colors of the shirt instead of putting personal ego first. 'Wearing the German national team jersey is now a privilege,' Kimmich emphasized.

In addition, the 31-year-old midfielder also expressed excitement about Manuel Neuer's return ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With a squad of experienced players and a new spirit, Germany is quietly preparing for an ambitious comeback on American soil.