Lan represents the country’s only referee to reach Elite level, the highest level in the FIFA referee system. Notably, back in 2018 the referee won the title of Vietnam Golden Whistle.
The regional competition will see the participation of 10 teams. Vietnam’s U23s are in Group C where they will play Singapore and Thailand on February 19 and February 22, respectively.
Participants will compete in one-round format, with the three first places of Group A, Group B, and Group C, along with the best second-placed team progressing through to the semi-final round.
The winners in the semi-finals will therefore meet each other in the final.
Indonesia are the defending champions having won the tournament back in 2019. However, they have decided to withdraw from this year’s competition as seven of their footballers have tested positive for COVID-19.