Quang Hải reveals surprises in Vietnam National Team ahead of AFF Cup

The Vietnam national team is still practicing in Hanoi as they gear up for the AFF Cup 2026. Quang Hải stated that the entire squad is giving full assistance to ensure new players can adapt swiftly.

On the afternoon of June 24, the Vietnam national team maintained its training rhythm at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center to prepare for the AFF Cup 2026. The focused atmosphere in the early days of the camp revealed a clear shift in personnel, as many newcomers were given the chance to test themselves in the new tactical system.

Before the training session, midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải shared with the media about the team's situation, especially the integration process of the new faces. During this transition period, the coaching staff is prioritizing team cohesion alongside perfecting tactical patterns.

Regarding the assessment of the group of new players such as Le Giang Patrik, Nguyễn Tài Lộc, and Ngô Đăng Khoa, Quang Hải said that the whole team is creating the best conditions for the rookies to adapt quickly to the national team environment. The proactive communication and collective activities have made the integration process smoother than expected.

“The team has only been together for two days, so there haven't been many on-field sessions. However, in daily activities, everyone is very open and friendly. The new players are all professionals, so they don't face much difficulty integrating. When wearing the national team jersey, each person has their own pressures, but the long-standing members of the team will try to support them so they can quickly adapt and together build a united collective,” Quang Hải shared.

Aside from personnel factors, the 1997-born midfielder also frankly mentioned that the hot weather in Hanoi is significantly affecting training intensity. Nevertheless, the whole team maintains a spirit of adaptation, ensuring they complete the training plan set by Kim Sang Sik's coaching staff, aiming for optimal physical condition during the preparation phase.

“We always aim for the highest goals. However, at the moment, the whole team needs to focus on completing each preparation phase well. After a long season with many matches on different fronts, some players need more time to recover their physical condition. The entire team is working hard to achieve the best state for the journey ahead,” Quang Hải emphasized.

Off the training pitch, the players also maintain the habit of watching notable matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to keep up with modern playing trends. According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will train in Hanoi until the end of July 1st before traveling to South Korea for a training camp from July 2nd to July 14th, where the team will play three friendly matches against “sparring partners” arranged by the Korea Football Association, thereby assessing the squad and perfecting their playing style ahead of the AFF Cup 2026.