The path Le Viktor is taking will help Tran Thanh Trung conquer U.23 Vietnam.

While most overseas Vietnamese players do not stay in the U.23 Vietnam team, Le Viktor has proven his ability and gradually become an important player for coach Kim Sang-sik.

Le Viktor's footprints in U.23 Vietnam

Le Viktor started to gain trust in the U.23 Vietnam team from the March training session, when he was named by coach Dinh Hong Vinh to play in a friendly match in China. The midfielder born in 2003 played all 3 matches and was praised by coach Dinh Hong Vinh for being active, willing to move around and always enthusiastic.

In the V-League during that time, Le Viktor scored 1 goal and assisted 3 goals for Ha Tinh Club. However, despite his dream start in U.23 Vietnam and his stable performance at the club, Le Viktor was still on the bench for all 4 matches in the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, when coach Kim Sang-sik took charge.

Le Viktor (right) in the U.23 Vietnam shirt

PHOTO: MINH TU

It was not until the match against U.23 Bangladesh that Le Viktor scored his first goal for U.23 Vietnam. In the match against U.23 Singapore, he was in the starting lineup for the first time. Le Viktor's firsts were even... behind those of first-class players like Xuan Bac, Hieu Minh, or younger players like Cong Phuong.

Because, for every U.23 Vietnam player, a good resume, or time playing abroad (Le Viktor was recruited to the Torpedo Moscow youth training center and then the CSKA Moscow Football Academy in Russia) does not automatically translate into a starting position. If so, overseas Vietnamese like Andrej Nguyen An Khanh or Bui Alex would not have been removed.

To be successful, the only way for any player is to meet the training intensity, tactical requirements and adapt to the circumstances.

Like most overseas Vietnamese players, Le Viktor carries a lot of expectations on his shoulders, but faces difficulties in the early stages due to language and climate barriers. The long period of being on the bench during the first year in Vietnam is an example.

Even when Le Viktor started scoring or assisting in V-League, coach Nguyen Thanh Cong only briefly commented: Le Viktor has potential, but needs to try harder.

Le Viktor improves every day

PHOTO: MINH TU

And then, his daily efforts helped Le Viktor gradually gain trust. In the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament, Le Viktor played extremely "hotly", but his ball handling was not neat, not in sync with the rhythm of the game, and had many out-of-sync movements.

But, the U.23 Asian qualifiers were a very different version of Le Viktor. He coordinated more clearly, ran more intelligently (like the goal against U.23 Bangladesh), and his finishing was also "more skillful". If the crossbar and post had not unfortunately denied him, Le Viktor would have had 2 more goals.

Luck still turned its back on Le Viktor, but coach Kim Sang-sik did not. The increasing number of minutes on the field for U.23 Vietnam is Mr. Kim's recognition of the Vietnamese-Russian. After the difficulties, Le Viktor is gradually moving towards adulthood.

What about Tran Thanh Trung?

Looking at the overseas Vietnamese who struggled in the U.23 Vietnam team, it is easier to sympathize with Tran Thanh Trung's difficult beginning.

The 19-year-old midfielder was removed from the squad during the preparation phase because he had not yet recovered from his injury (he was called up to the national team when his injury had not yet healed). At the same time, Thanh Trung is also trying to get used to the hot climate in Vietnam.

Thanh Trung (second from left) needs more time

PHOTO: VFF

A good CV is not a stepping stone for Tran Thanh Trung, because in the competitive race, coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that all players have the same starting point. Whoever plays well will be selected, it's that simple. The Korean strategist only opens the door to those who are willing to make the effort, and that's what Tran Thanh Trung needs to show.

With 62 matches in the Bulgarian national championship, and experience playing for youth teams in the land of roses, it can be believed that Tran Thanh Trung has all the qualities. What the midfielder of Ninh Binh Club needs is time to fit into the "gears" of Vietnamese football.

Coach Kim Sang-sik announced that the door will be open for Tran Thanh Trung in the next training sessions. Although he knows that for overseas Vietnamese players like Thanh Trung or Le Viktor, the journey will be more difficult. However, if you overcome it, success will be full of sweetness.

With potential and determined overseas Vietnamese midfielders, U.23 Vietnam will be even stronger.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/con-duong-le-viktor-dang-di-se-giup-tran-thanh-trung-chinh-phuc-u23-viet-nam-185250908161559247.htm