Spanish overseas Vietnamese competes with the youngest V.League player at U19 Vietnam

Gia Khoi, the overseas Vietnamese player, is up against fierce competition for a place in the starting lineup of U19 Vietnam, given that the midfield is filled with notable young talents, some of whom have V.League experience.

U19 Vietnam is entering its final preparation phase for the journey at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship in Indonesia. Under the guidance of head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi, the squad is not at full strength as several key players are still involved in V.League matches, forcing the coaching staff to test multiple personnel options.

The spotlight is on Truong Gia Khoi, a Spanish overseas Vietnamese player who trained for many years at Huesca, a traditional club in Spain. He was called up after a short training period but has impressed with his solid technical foundation, modern game mentality, and fairly stable midfield control.

Nevertheless, the starting opportunity for the player this overseas Vietnamese is still not guaranteed, as U19 Vietnam possesses many quality midfielders. The short integration period forces Gia Khoi to compete directly with teammates who are already accustomed to the team's tactical system and training intensity.

Notably, Nguyen Van Khanh – a midfielder born in 2008, belonging to Hong Linh Ha Tinh – is making a special impression as the youngest player ever registered to play in the V.League for the 2025/26 season. With 8 appearances in a professional environment, Van Khanh brings an advantage in real-match experience compared to his peers.

Furthermore, the duo of Tran Gia Hung and Dao Quang Anh from PVF-CAND are also showing consistent form in training. This makes U19 Vietnam's midfield a fiercely competitive area, where coach Ikeuchi must carefully choose between technique, experience, and tactical adaptability.

According to the schedule, U19 Vietnam will face Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and hosts Indonesia in the group stage. This is considered an important test for the young Vietnamese team to assess their squad, while also aiming for the long-term goal of the 2027 U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, which require clear stability and squad depth.