Coach Kim Sang Sik shocks by calling up a First Division player to the Vietnam U23 team.

Nguyen Trong Son, a relatively unfamiliar name, unexpectedly appears in the Vietnam U23 squad list for March.

Midfielder Nguyen Trong Son (born 2006) currently plays for Bac Ninh. This young player participated with his team in the 2024/25 National Second Division before being registered as an addition during the mid-phase of the first half of the 2025/26 National First Division season.

Playing for Bac Ninh, Trong Son demonstrates clear improvement with an energetic style, speed, and wide-ranging activity in midfield. Recent positive performances have earned the 2006-born midfielder high praise from experts.

That impressive form caught the eye of Coach Kim Sang-sik, granting him the opportunity to join the upcoming Vietnam U23 training camp. This is seen as a deserved reward for the young player's recent efforts.

According to the plan, Vietnam U23 will assemble on March 17 in Hanoi to prepare for the CFA Team China International Football Tournament – Xi'an 2026, held from March 25 to March 31, 2026 in China. The Vietnam U23 squad list is likely to be finalized soon with many names still very new to fans.

Trong Son is the tenth name revealed to be part of this Vietnam U23 training camp. Previously, SLNA confirmed five players called up: goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, defender Le Nguyen Hoang, forward Le Dinh Long Vu, and midfielders Nguyen Quang Vinh and Nguyen Trong Tuan. Except for newcomer Trong Tuan, the remaining names are quite familiar, having participated in previous training camps multiple times.

Additionally, HAGL contributes two players: center-back Dinh Quang Kiet and midfielder Nguyen Minh Tam. Hanoi FC also has two players called up: goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai and center-back Nguyen Canh Tai. The tournament in Xi'an will feature four teams: China U23, Vietnam U23, Thailand U23, and North Korea U23, playing in a single-round league format to determine the final ranking.