VietNamNet Bridge – Toshiya Miura yesterday (May 19) announced a list of 24 players who will compete at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this weekend.

Toshiya Miura (left) yesterday announced a list of 24 players who will compete at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this weekend

Among the players selected, strikers Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Hai Anh, Nguyen Quang Hai and Mac Hong Quan were called up.

Quan received praise from experts after scoring the only goal for Viet Nam in a 1-1 friendly match against North Korea on Sunday.

In midfield, the 50-year-old Japanese coach has called up Nguyen Huu Dung, who scored in a friendly with U23 Thailand in March, alongside other key players such as Nguyen Van Quyet, Vu Minh Tuan, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Minh Chau and Nguyen Trong Hoang.

In defence, fans will be watching the performances of new recruits such as Michal Nguyen and Dang Khanh Lam.

Viet Nam will leave for Thailand tomorrow (May 21) before facing the hosts in the opening game of Group F on May 24.

Viet Nam will then take on Indonesia at home scheduled for September 3.

Injury rules midfielder Tuan Anh out of SEA Games

Midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh failed to make his Southeast Asian Games debut after a knee injury, which sent him packing yesterday.

Coach Toshyia Miura spoke yesterday with Anh, a former member of the national U19 team, and described his regret that Anh could not join the U23 squad in Singapore next month.

Anh injured his knee several days ago and he had been receiving intensive treatment in the hopes of recovering in time. Doctors, however, decided he wouldn't be able to recover in time.

After their talk, 2014's young player of the year left the squad's hotel to return home in Thai Binh Province.

Anh is the second player of U23 team, following midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh, who will have to stay home this summer, watching games on the TV.

VNS