This is the first training session of the U17 team in 2023, which will last for more than two weeks, from April 1 to 16.

Tuan continues to put his faith in the players who competed in the qualifying round. However, due to the match schedules of their host clubs in the National U19 Football Championship qualifiers, some outstanding players such as Nguyen Cong Phuong, Le Dinh Long Vu, Phan Danh Duc Thien, Nguyen Le Phat or Nguyen Dinh Hai did not join the team this time.

Recently, the coach also decided to add four players to the team, including three players from Song Lam Nghe An Club, namely Nguyen Trong Son, Nguyen Dinh Cuong, Nguyen Dinh Nghia, and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club’s Dinh Quang Kiet, bringing the total number to 38.

Vietnam will face a challenging journey at the 2023 AFC U17 Asian Cup after being drawn into a formidable group. Specially, the team has been placed in Group D alongside reigning champions Japan, India and Uzbekistan.

"Being finalists means that none are weak teams," said Tuan. "In Group D, Japan is exceptional. They are at a higher level than us, from junior to senior football and even women's football.

"Uzbekistan is also a powerhouse. They beat us in the Asian U23 tournament in 2018 and recently in the U20 competition persuasively. They have had strong investments in youth football while their players' qualities are really good. They are not easy to play. Only India is on the same level as us."

However, Tuan was still confident in his team's abilities.

"At the U17 level, players have not completely matured in both terms of psychology and physiology. It is important to prepare for them as much as we can. Evaluating teams' strengths is only theory; the reality will be much different.

"At the continental competition, all teams will face their challenges. We must be confident to face any rival. This tournament is for young players who must compete in big matches to grow fast,” he added.

The tournament final, scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 2, will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top four teams securing their spots in the FIFA U17 World Cup Peru 2023 later this year.

After this training session, the team will reunite in early May, when they will have two weeks of preparation before going to Japan for training and competition to complete the final preparation for the continental arena.

Matches at the final round will take place at four stadiums of host Thailand: Rajamangala, Pathum Thani, Thammasat and Chonburi./.