Coach Kim Sang Sik calls up 2 new players to the Vietnam national team, who are they?

The Vietnam squad preparing for the Laos match features two debutants: Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường and Khổng Minh Gia Bảo.

Compared to the last call-up, this list features two new faces: defender Khổng Minh Gia Bảo (from Ho Chi Minh City Police FC) and forward Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường (from Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC), promising to bring fresh energy to the team.

Born in 2000, Khổng Minh Gia Bảo is regarded as a defender with strong marking and physical strength, excellent stamina, and the ability to use both feet effectively. He developed at the People's Public Security Club, then played for Phù Đổng Ninh Bình, before joining Quảng Nam FC and later transferring to Ho Chi Minh City Police FC in August 2025. This season, Gia Bảo has started 9 out of 10 matches for the police club, completing 8 full 90-minute games.

Gia Bảo has previously represented Vietnam at the U20 level and is considered one of the promising young defenders currently performing well in Vietnamese football.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường, also born in 2000, is a graduate of the Becamex Bình Dương youth academy (former). Known for his speed, technique, and finishing ability, Việt Cường was a key player for the Bình Dương team with 32 appearances and 26 goals in the 2024/25 season, helping the club finish 7th in the V-League.

In the 2025/26 season, he continued to shine playing for Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, being praised by experts as a "combination of Anh Đức and Tiến Linh" due to his versatility in attack. Việt Cường has also been part of Vietnam’s U16 and U23 teams.

Besides Gia Bảo and Việt Cường, Coach Kim Sang Sik also summoned two other players: Lê Văn Đô (CAHN) and Trần Bảo Toàn (Ninh Bình). Notably, forward Nguyễn Xuân Son officially returns after a 10-month injury break.

With a stable squad and strong determination to seize the opportunity, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team aims to secure all 3 points against Laos, maintaining their advantage in the race to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.

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