Three Vietnamese footballers among best in Southeast Asia

Website fourfourtwo.com has selected three Vietnamese players on its list of the best 23 young players in Southeast Asia ahead of the Asian U23 Football Championships in 2016.

Central midfielder Do Duy Manh, 19, has already featured in crucial fixtures against Iraq and Thailand in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

He was introduced to Hanoi T&T's first team this season where he quickly established himself as a regular with two goals in 22 appearances, and helped lead his team to a second-place finish in the V-League 1.

Left winger Vo Huy Toan is considered another important prospect for Vietnam by local fans.

The 22-year-old was introduced to the national team for the first time at the 2014 AFF Championship. Toan, who is the play-maker of SHB Da Nang FC, was one of the top-scorers at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

Attacking midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong of Hoang Anh Gia Lai is called "Vietnamese Messi" by fans and media due to his playing style and dribbling skills.

Phuong spent eight years at the Hoang Anh Gia Lai JMG-Arsenal Academy before gaining promotion to the V.League club's first team this season.

Phuong became famous in 2013 when, as the U19 team captain, he was top scorer with seven goals during qualifying for the 2014 AFC U19 Championships.

The 20-year-old is an integral part of his club level and is making his way into the national team, featuring in two games in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The tournament will be held in Qatar in January.-VNA