Vietnamese naturalized striker has a chance to be promoted at nearly 50 years old

Huỳnh Kesley is on the verge of helping TG.Gia Định fight for a First Division promotion slot in the 2026 National Second Division tournament.

At age 45, Huỳnh Kesley continues to capture fans' attention as he stands before the chance to help TG.Gia Định secure a promotion to the First Division in the 2026 National Second Division Championship. Despite being past the peak of his career, the forward born in 1981 still maintains a strong desire to play and aims to achieve another memorable milestone.

According to the regulations recently issued by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), this season features 14 teams divided into two groups based on geographical regions. The teams will compete in a double round-robin format from March 24 to June 7 to determine the top two teams from each group advancing to the finals. This format demands high consistency since a single slip-up can significantly impact the competition's outcome.

The final stage is expected to be held on neutral grounds with two semifinal matches on June 13. The two winners will earn direct promotion, while the two losers must compete in a playoff on June 16 for the last promotion spot. Therefore, only up to three teams can move up to the First Division, making the competition extremely intense.

The participating teams include many familiar names such as Đắk Lắk, Hoài Đức, Lâm Đồng, Quảng Ngãi, PVF, Tây Ninh, Hanoi Youth, Đà Nẵng Youth, Vĩnh Long, and Huế, which was relegated last season. Four newcomers from the Third Division — Phù Đổng Youth, CAHN Youth, Hà Tĩnh Sports Training and Competition Center, and TG.Gia Định — also promise to bring surprises.

Among them, TG.Gia Định has drawn significant attention after recently winning a preparatory tournament in Ho Chi Minh City. In this event, Huỳnh Kesley continued to take the field and made a strong professional impression with his extensive experience and match temperament accumulated over many seasons, serving as a pillar for the younger players on the team.

If he can maintain his current fitness and form, Huỳnh Kesley could definitely make a difference in the Southern regional group, thereby opening up promotion opportunities for TG.Gia Định. In a fiercely competitive league, the veteran’s leadership and experience, having contributed multiple times to the team’s promotion, might be the critical factor determining success or failure.