Dong Nai Youth set to compete in the 2025 Third Division with a 25-player squad

On October 24, the Organizing Board of the 2025 National Third Division Football Championship announced updates ahead of the competition’s kickoff this Sunday, including the renaming of the Dong Nai team.

Dong Nai Youth players during a training session. Photo: Huyen Linh

At the request of the Dong Nai Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, the Vietnam Football Federation has approved changing the team’s name from Dong Nai Football Club to Dong Nai Youth Football Club.

Dong Nai Youth is preparing to compete in the 2025 Third Division with a 25-player squad under the guidance of head coach Mai Thanh Hung. The team is composed of U21 players, including 3 goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 8 midfielders, and 2 forwards. According to the coaching staff, Dong Nai Youth features several standout players, including 1.84-meter-tall goalkeeper Tran Nhu Khiem, defender Phan Nhat Vu, center-back Nguyen Duc Long, and midfielder Bui Hoang Bao Ngoc, among others.

According to the schedule, in their opening Group C match, Dong Nai Youth will face An Giang at 1:30 p.m. on October 27 at Tan Hiep Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. On the same day, Dong Thap will take on STP Food Ho Chi Minh City at 3:00 p.m., while Truong Giang – Gia Dinh will meet Dong Nai University of Technology at 3:30 p.m.

Regarding the opening round, the Organizing Board announced that the 2025 Third Division’s opening ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on October 26, followed 15 minutes later by the opening match between Hoai Duc Youth and Dao Ha Football Center in Group A at Hoai Duc Stadium, Hanoi City.

The first round of Group A also includes two other matches: Hanoi Bulls vs. Luxury Ha Long at 2:00 p.m. on October 26, and Phu Dong Youth vs. Hanoi Police Youth at 3:00 p.m. on October 27.

In Group B, matches on October 27 include Thong Nhat Youth – TPG vs. Ha Tinh Training and Sports Center at 1:30 p.m., and Dak Lak Youth vs. Khanh Hoa Technical Sports Training Center at 3:30 p.m.

According to tournament regulations, 17 teams across three groups will compete in a double round-robin format to determine the three group winners and the best second-placed team, who will advance to the 2026 National Second Division.

By Huyen Linh – Translated by Thu Hien, Minho