Vietnam U23's strongest lineup vs North Korea U23: 5 players over 1.8m tall

Vietnam U23 enters their opening match of CFA Team China 2026 against North Korea U23 with a youthful and physically robust lineup.

In the context of young players being given opportunities, the starting lineup of coach Đinh Hồng Vinh's team has attracted much attention, particularly its physically strong and promising core framework.

Accordingly, Vietnam U23 is likely to operate with a 3-4-3 formation. In goal, goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình (1.83m) is a reliable choice due to his experience in youth-level competitions, especially in the recent AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. The trio of central defenders includes Lê Nguyên Hoàng (left side), Đinh Quang Kiệt (center), and Trần Hải Anh (right side). Notably, Quang Kiệt possesses a height of up to 1.95m, while Hải Anh is 1.83m tall, creating a defensive line with a clear advantage in aerial duels.

In the midfield, the central midfield pair Trần Thành Trung and Thái Bá Đạt are expected to take on the role of orchestrating the play. The wing positions belong to Lê Đình Long Vũ (right) and Nguyễn Vadim (left), players with speed and flexible ability in both attack and defense.

On the forward line, Nguyễn Đăng Dương (1.84m) is likely to play on the wing, supporting central striker Nguyễn Minh Tâm (1.81m), the striker who currently has 3 goals after 12 matches in V.League 1 2025/26. On the opposite flank, Lê Văn Thuận brings mobility and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Possessing a series of players taller than 1.80m, such as Văn Bình (1.83m), Quang Kiệt (1.95m), Hải Anh (1.83m), Minh Tâm (1.81m), and Đăng Dương (1.84m), shows that Vietnam U23 is gradually making significant improvements in physical stature, a factor once considered a weakness in the past.

Notably, central defender Trần Hải Anh, a new face for Vietnam U23, is expected to become a "fresh breeze" in the defense. The player born in 2005, standing at 1.83m, is currently playing for Quảng Ninh Club and has made 11 appearances in the First Division this season. With a modern playing style and a good physical foundation, Hải Anh is assessed to have the potential to develop following the model of defender Nguyễn Hiểu Minh.

Meanwhile, on the forward line, the presence of Nguyễn Minh Tâm also brings many expectations. The 1.81m tall striker from HAGL is in impressive form with 3 goals in V.League this season and is seen as a replacement option for Đình Bắc in this training camp.

Vietnam U23 participates in the tournament in Xi'an with a core of players born from 2005 to 2007. This is an important preparatory step to build a successor force for long-term goals, in the context where many key players have been promoted to the national team or are over the U23 age.

Participating in the CFA Team China International Football Tournament, Xi'an 2026, the Vietnam U23 team will successively face North Korea U23 on March 25th, meet Thailand U23 on March 28th, and confront host China U23 in the final match on March 31st.