U23 Vietnam achieves remarkable success, with HAGL playing a major role

HAGL continues its firm commitment to nurturing young players, establishing itself as a reliable source of talent for Vietnam’s football scene.

Over the past several years, HAGL has always been regarded as one of the clubs that supply a plentiful and stable workforce for Vietnam’s national teams. This identity is not derived from short-term achievements but is built on a long-term strategy: placing absolute trust in youth training and persistently giving playing opportunities to inexperienced players, even in key positions like striker or central midfielder.

The foundation of this philosophy was laid in 2007, when Chairman Bầu Đức decided to establish the HAGL Arsenal JMG Academy. Motivated by concerns over Vietnam’s inferiority complex when facing Thailand, he chose to invest thoroughly and long-term by “importing” the JMG training model—an academy that produced many African stars such as Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, and Emmanuel Eboué. Since then, HAGL has become a rare highlight in youth development in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Bầu Đức’s persistence was clearly demonstrated in the 2015 V-League season, when the entire first generation of academy players was promoted to the first team. Players like Công Phượng, Văn Toàn, Tuấn Anh, Xuân Trường, Văn Thanh, and Hồng Duy were not only given playing time but also became key pillars of the club. Although this bold move initially sparked controversy, it proved valuable in the long run as HAGL significantly contributed to the development of Vietnamese football.

The clearest achievement came at the 2018 Thường Châu miracle, where U23 Vietnam finished as Asian runners-up with a core of players developed by HAGL. Following Coach Park Hang-seo’s era, the wave of young players continued to grow under Coach Kim Sang-sik. In 2025, U23 Vietnam dominated regional tournaments, winning the U23 Southeast Asia Championship, securing the gold medal at SEA Games 33, and qualifying for the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, with a strong presence of players trained at HAGL.

Many young players such as Trung Kiên, Nhật Minh, Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường, and Nguyễn Quốc Việt matured early through HAGL’s training system. Although some later moved to Nutifood JMG, the foundation at Hàm Rồng combined with a philosophy blending professional training and cultural education remains crucial in their development.

Currently, HAGL continues to boldly provide opportunities for players born from 2005 to 2008, such as Minh Tâm, Môi Sê, Trung Thắng, Quang Kiệt, and Gia Bảo. Playing minutes in the V-League are seen as an essential stepping stone for them to advance to youth national teams and eventually the senior national team, thereby affirming the club’s role as a “talent mine” in the Central Highlands.