Hanoi [Vietnam], March 12: The Vietnamese national team currently has five extremely talented goalkeepers on the preliminary call-up list: Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Le Giang Patrik, and Tran Trung Kien.
Should the Vietnamese national team stop rotating goalkeepers?
The identities of the goalkeepers called up to the Vietnamese national team for the March training camp have gradually been revealed. The names chosen by coach Kim Sang-sik include: Nguyen Filip (Hanoi Police FC), Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Dinh Trieu (Hai Phong), Le Giang Patrik (Ho Chi Minh City Police FC), and Tran Trung Kien (HAGL).
This is an obvious list, as these are the five best goalkeepers in Vietnamese football right now. However, a question arises: why did Mr. Kim call up five goalkeepers, instead of the usual three or four?
Goalkeepers are usually the position that demands the highest level of consistency in football, but under Kim's leadership, the Vietnamese national team's goalkeeping position has been constantly rotated.
The Vietnamese national team began Kim Sang-sik's "reign" with a victory over the Philippines in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Van Lam in goal. Five days later, Nguyen Filip was chosen for the match against Iraq. Following that, Van Lam and Filip shared the starting goalkeeper position in the next three friendly matches against Russia, Thailand, and India. At the 2024 AFF Cup, Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Filip alternated in goal for the first four matches, with Dinh Trieu then being chosen as the starting goalkeeper in the semi-finals and final.
Just when it seemed like Dinh Trieu was being groomed for the long-term goalkeeper position, Coach Kim surprised everyone in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Dinh Trieu only played in the first leg against Laos, after which the goalkeeper position was given to Nguyen Filip, Van Lam, and Trung Kien.
Rotating goalkeepers doesn't pose a problem, because if awarded a win against Malaysia, the Vietnamese team will have a 15-match unbeaten streak (13 wins, 2 draws) under coach Kim Sang-sik. As long as the wheels of victory continue to roll, Kim's decisions regarding player selection are unquestionable.
The South Korean strategist explained that he selects players based on their form and suitability for each match. The change of goalkeeper also subtly conveys the message that, although there are many high-class goalkeepers, none have consistently performed exceptionally well for an extended period, enough for Kim to place his trust in them without hesitation.
However, in the long term, Kim still needs a fixed goalkeeper to establish a defensive framework for major tournaments such as the 2026 AFF Cup, the 2027 Asian Cup, and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
A team of top-class and well-balanced goalkeepers.
Among the five players called up by coach Kim Sang-sik, Trung Kien is a promising prospect for the future. The goalkeeper, born in 2003, started in the 1-0 victory against Nepal, and then shone at the SEA Games and the U.23 Asian Championship finals within just three months.
With his good height (1.91 m), long arms, and stable judgment and reflexes (the goalkeeper with the most saves in the V-League this season), Trung Kien is a prime example of the young goalkeepers in the Vietnamese national team. If he maintains his form, the 23-year-old goalkeeper will be an ideal choice for the next two or three years.
However, given the current circumstances, the competition is likely to be between Nguyen Filip, Van Lam, and Le Giang Patrik.
Despite being a substitute in the four semi-final and final matches of the AFF Cup and missing recent training camps, it's important to acknowledge that Nguyen Filip is still a Vietnamese goalkeeper who has played at the highest level (Europa League). According to commentator Vu Quang Huy, Nguyen Filip possesses excellent goalkeeping technique, precise footwork, good judgment, and "is a perfect role model for Vietnamese goalkeepers." Nguyen Filip has had a period of making mistakes, but those difficulties are over. The goalkeeper born in 1992 has regained his stability, helping CAHN FC lead the V-League with a 14-match unbeaten streak.
Nguyen Filip's biggest rival is Van Lam, the classic and reliable goalkeeper that Coach Kim expects. Van Lam has good Vietnamese language skills, understands the national team's culture, and has a strong bond with the team after 10 years of playing for them. This season, Van Lam has also made consistent saves, helping Ninh Binh become a V-League phenomenon, leading the table for almost the first half of the season.
Meanwhile, Le Giang Patrik is a new face, however, he has been targeted by Mr. Kim for the past two years. Le Giang possesses the fighting spirit and tenacity of a top-class goalkeeper with Slovakian blood flowing through his veins. In addition, he has experience playing in Europe, an ideal physique (1.88 m), and a deep understanding of the V-League after three years of competition.
Le Giang's peak was the 2023-2024 season, with his crucial saves carrying Ho Chi Minh City FC into the top 4 of the V-League with only 26 goals conceded (the fewest in the league). This season, Le Giang is still playing well, commanding the defense of Ho Chi Minh City Police FC, helping the team stay in the top 5.
The competition for the goalkeeper position in the Vietnamese national team will be fierce!
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
