According to Lao Dong, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai will not be present in the gathering of the Vietnam team to prepare for the two matches against Nepal.
The reason is that the coaching staff created conditions for him to be treated and fully recover from his injury.
Previously, the injury also caused Quang Hai to be absent from 3 international matches of Hanoi Police, including the match against Beijing Guoan (China), Tai Po (Hong Kong, China) at the AFC Champions League Two and the match against Cebu (Philippines) in the Southeast Asian Cup C1.
During the national team meeting last September, Quang Hai was also absent for the same reason.
This break is necessary for the midfielder born in 1997 to recover and recharge, towards the upcoming important period when the Police team has to compete with high intensity.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team only has to face Nepal in the next two matches. This is the weakest opponent in the group in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Therefore, coach Kim Sang-sik will make reasonable adjustments to ensure the strength of the home team.
The list of Vietnam national team players this time has the appearance of 7 young players who have just shined in the U23 Vietnam jersey at the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship and the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers, including goalkeeper Trung Kien, midfielder Van Khang, defenders Xuan Bac, Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, strikers Phi Hoang and Thanh Nhan.
In addition to youth, the team still retains experienced players to maintain professional stability such as Tien Dung, Duy Manh, Xuan Manh, Hoang Duc, Hai Long, Tuan Hai and Tien Linh.
According to the plan, today (October 4), the Vietnam team will officially gather in Ho Chi Minh City.
The whole team will have 5 days of training before the first leg against Nepal on October 9 at Go Dau Stadium (Binh Duong), and the second leg will be held at Thong Nhat Stadium on October 14.
