Vietnam U23s set semi-final goal

The national U23 football team have been set a goal at the 28th Southeast Asian Game in Singapore in June to reach the semi-finals.

Deputy Head of the Vietnam Sports Administration Tran Duc Phan said in Hanoi on April 9.

Phan said the target was set following talks with administration, the Vietnam Football Federation and coach Toshiya Miura.

According to Phan, the target was within reach of the team and it did not put any pressure on the players.

In preparation for the games, Miura has called up 35 players for the team. Most of them, including Nguyen Cong Phuong, Vo Huy Toan, and Que Ngoc Hai, competed at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship qualifying round in Malaysia last month.

Miura also recalled injured players and experienced ones such as Nguyen Huy Hung, Ngo Hoang Thinh, Mac Hong Quan and Tran Phi Son.

The U23 team will convene on May 5 and have three weeks to prepare for the 28th Games.

They will play two international friendly matches against South Korea U23s and a Toyota V-League 1 club. Then the team will face a strong rival from the Southeast Asia region.

Before leaving for Singapore, coach Miura will choose his 20-man squad for the event.

The event will draw 11 regional teams who will be divided into two groups. The draw will be held next Tuesday, and the competition will kick off on May 29.

Vietnam are considered one of the top teams in the region, but have not won any the Games.

Their best result was winning the ASEAN Football Federation Cup in 2008.-VNA

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