Vietnam U19 finalizes squad for 2026 Southeast Asian Championship, featuring overseas Vietnamese player from Spain

Head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi has confirmed the final selection of 23 players representing Vietnam U19 at the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship. A standout inclusion is Truong Gia Khoi, a Vietnamese-origin midfielder currently with the reserves of SD Huesca in Spain.

Born in 2008, Truong Gia Khoi operates as a midfielder. Before joining the SD Huesca youth system, he trained and played in England with various youth teams, including Luton Town. Standing at 1.72 meters and with a solid European football background, Khoi is praised for his modern tactical thinking and strong adaptability.

In late April 2026, Khoi was called up to the Vietnam U19 squad for the first time by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to prepare for the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship and the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

According to the schedule, Vietnam U19 will kick off their campaign at 4:00 PM today (June 1) against Timor-Leste U19.

Ahead of the tournament, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi expressed his excitement over the young players' opportunity to gain experience in a highly competitive regional competition.

"We are very pleased that the young players have the chance to compete in this tournament. Vietnam U19 will give their all and approach every match like a final," the Japanese tactician shared.

In the group stage, Vietnam U19 are placed alongside hosts Indonesia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste. The clash between Vietnam U19 and Indonesia U19 is considered a key match, crucial in the race for a spot in the next round.

Nevertheless, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi stated that the team is not focusing specifically on any opponent.

"As I've mentioned, Vietnam U19 will fight with full effort in every game. The match against Indonesia is no different," he emphasized.

Indonesia U19 enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating Thailand 1-0 in the 2024 final. The host nation remains a strong title contender, boasting quality players including six who train or play abroad.

On the Vietnam U19 side, the team is not at full strength due to several players' domestic club commitments. However, Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi still has full confidence in his players' fighting spirit, determination, and desire to prove themselves on their journey to conquer this year's tournament.