AFC U23 Asian Cup, Vietnam U23, coach Gong Oh-kyun, SEA Games

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After flying to the UAE, coach Gong Oh-kyun (second from left) and Vietnamese players have their first training session on May 25.

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Gong encourages the players to play music and practice at the same time to help them feel comfortable on the training ground.

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The training session gets underway at 7 p.m. as the weather turns cooler, bringing greater comfort for all footballers.

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Gong takes the helm of the squad after his predecessor Park Hang-seo ended his contract with the U23 Vietnam side. At the recent 31st SEA Games, Park helped U23 Vietnam defend their championship title.

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Gong has already announced a list of 25 football players for the preliminary national lineup to compete at the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals due to take place in Uzbekistan from June 1 to June 19.

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More than half of the team are key players of the squad who won gold at the recently-concluded SEA Games 31. They include goalkeeper Van Toan, defenders Viet Anh and Thanh Binh, midfielders Ly Cong Hoang Anh and Le Van Do, and strikers Nguyen Van Tung and Nham Manh Dung.

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The remainder consist of defenders Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Ha Trung Hau, midfielders Vo Dinh Lam and Khuat Van Khang, and strikers Le Minh Binh and Tran Danh Trung.

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The group of 14 footballers who won gold at SEA Games 31 will be an important part of Vietnam’s U23s at the upcoming Asian U23 tournament.

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According to the draw, Vietnam play in Group C alongside the Republic of Korea (RoK), Thailand, and Malaysia. They are scheduled to take on Thailand on June 2, the RoK on June 5, and Malaysia on June 8.

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In his role as head coach, Gong directly guides the players in extensive training activities.

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Vietnam will play the UAE in a friendly match on May 28 and Gong will cross out two names afterwards. The 23-player side will fly to Uzbekistan the following day for the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals.

Coach Gong Oh-kyun and U23 Vietnam prepare for AFC U23 Asian Cup

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