GOOD NEWS: Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong suddenly had a chance to attend the 30th SEA Games

According to the latest information, SEA Games host has just sent a notice to the member countries about an important change in men's football that every team attending this year's SEA Games can add 2 more players who are overaged

This change in SEA Games is quite similar to the rules of ASIAD 2018, member countries participate with formula the U23 + 3, while SEA Games is now U22 + 2. Thus, many Vietnamese players who missed SEA Games gold medal dream like Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong or even defender Que Ngoc Hai suddenly had a chance to attend the 30th Southeast Asian sports festival.

The 30th SEA Games took place from November 30 to December 10 last year in the Philippines. Starting from this year the Southeast Asian Games empowered the host country to decide on the number of sports attended, the content of each sport, and even modify the competition rules. The decision to allow two more averaged players of the host Philippines is said to be because the young football background in this country is quite short compared to other countries in the region. They often have to use naturalized players to compete in the national team as well as other youth teams.

According to the initial regulations, the force of Vietnam national team in 30th SEA Games will lack a lot of young players who have left an impression in the past but too old to attend such as midfielder Duy Manh and midfielder Duc Huy or striker Phan Van Duc. However, after the host country’s decision, these players will have the opportunity to realize the SEA Games gold medal dream for Vietnamese football. Of course, the decision to select personnel will depend on the head coach Park Hang Seo - who also suddenly changed the decision, agreed to lead U22 Vietnam at the 30th SEA Games to take place later this year.