Coach Kim Sang Sik achieves unprecedented milestone in Vietnam national team history

This marks the first occasion in history where four overseas Vietnamese footballers are summoned to the national squad.

CA TP HCM Club has announced the list of its contracted players selected for the Vietnam national team. Besides Đinh Thanh Bình and Tiến Linh, the most anticipated name has emerged as overseas goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang makes his first appearance in the national team's training roster.

Patrik Lê Giang returned to Vietnam to play even before Filip Nguyễn, but due to paperwork issues, he only officially obtained Vietnamese citizenship early in 2026. Thus, Patrik Lê Giang becomes the fourth overseas Vietnamese player included in this national team call-up list.

This undoubtedly represents the largest number of overseas Vietnamese players ever assembled in Vietnam national team history. Alongside Patrik Lê Giang, the other three overseas players are Đặng Văn Lâm (Ninh Bình Club), Filip Nguyễn, and Pedant Quang Vinh (CAHN). Notably, all three goalkeepers selected this time are overseas Vietnamese.

Coach Kim Sang Sik will certainly face a tough decision in choosing the starting goalkeeper for the two matches against Bangladesh (friendly) and Malaysia (2027 Asian Cup qualifiers). Patrik Lê Giang, Văn Lâm, and Filip Nguyễn are all quality goalkeepers with good physique and stable recent performance.

However, each has weaknesses to address. Filip Nguyễn is considered the most elite, but his ability to communicate in Vietnamese with defensive teammates is not yet optimal. Văn Lâm has national team experience but his footwork remains limited.

Meanwhile, Patrik Lê Giang, despite his current high form, is only receiving his first call-up and will definitely need more time to integrate. Coach Kim Sang Sik still has another option in goal: Trung Kiên, the top goalkeeper of Vietnam U23, who is also performing excellently in V-League. This can be said to be the period when Vietnam national team boasts the most quality goalkeepers in its history.

Coach Kim Sang Sik calls up the second overseas Vietnamese player to the Vietnam national team

The 'Western talent scout' returns to Vietnam national team after nearly four years