The tall and classy 'male god' goalkeepers of the Vietnam team

The Vietnamese team currently has 3 quality goalkeepers, namely Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Van Viet (The Cong Viettel) and Tran Trung Kien (HAGL).

Vietnam national team's goal frame is extremely 'hot'

Coach Kim Sang-sik surprised everyone when he did not call up goalkeeper Nguyen Filip to the Vietnam national team to prepare for the two matches against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The absence of the goalkeeper who played in Europe for 8 years is regrettable. However, when looking at the 3 current goalkeepers of the Vietnam team, it is clear that Mr. Kim did not choose Nguyen Filip.

Because Van Lam (1.88 m tall), Van Viet (1.81 m) and Trung Kien (1.91 m) all have better form, or greater potential. These are the most reliable goalkeepers in Vietnamese football at present.

Van Lam returns to the Vietnam national team

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

More than a year after his last starting match (against Russia in September 2024), Van Lam has returned. The 1993-born goalkeeper caused controversy when he was relegated to the first division to play for Ninh Binh Club last season. Coincidentally, this was also the time when Nguyen Filip was trusted, and then Dinh Trieu stepped into the light at the AFF Cup 2024.

With a goalkeeper with professional skills like Filip, and a goalkeeper with good reflexes and safe play like Dinh Trieu, it seemed like Van Lam had no way to return to the Vietnam national team.

However, Ninh Binh Club only needed 1 season to dominate the first division, stepping up to the V-League. At this time, Van Lam's talent was clearly recognized again. The 32-year-old goalkeeper saved regularly and continuously, helping Ninh Binh fly high on the top spot.

Notably, in the matches against The Cong Viettel and Hai Phong, Van Lam had a total of 7 saves, helping Ninh Binh maintain their unbeaten streak.

Good reflexes, safe ball catching style and extensive experience after more than 10 years of playing (having played in Japan, Thailand, participated in AFF Cup, Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers) help Van Lam become the most ideal and harmonious choice.

Van Lam has the opportunity to prove himself once again.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

After the idea of ​​​​playing the ball from the back failed to work, coach Kim Sang-sik returned to the safe direction for the Vietnamese team: solid, pragmatic and cautious. At the AFF Cup 2024, Mr. Kim trusted a classic goalkeeper, focusing only on blocking and saving goals like Dinh Trieu.

Compared to his colleague at Hai Phong , Van Lam is clearly an upgraded version. He is 2 years younger, but more experienced and a better blocker. Van Lam will bring back peace of mind, which is also what Mr. Kim needs most in the defense right now.

Choices for the future

If Van Lam is the current solution, Van Viet and Trung Kien deserve to be future options.

Goalkeeper Trung Kien has a solid position in U.23 Vietnam (starting in the last 7 matches), and is in his second season as the main goalkeeper for HAGL. Trung Kien's talent has been confirmed. His height of 1.91 m, long arm span, steady mentality and quick reflexes have made him the best goalkeeper of the 2003 generation.

Trung Kien was called up to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang-sik for training from the end of 2024. Continuously being called up to the national team is an opportunity for the HAGL goalkeeper to learn and improve, thereby preparing for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals.

Trung Kien was called up to the national team for training.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

Meanwhile, Van Viet made a splash as the youngest captain of V-League 2023 - 2024 (wearing the captain's armband of SLNA when he was only 21 years old). The player who grew up in Nghe An was discovered by coach Philippe Troussier and promoted to the Vietnamese national team in early 2024.

When Mr. Troussier left, Van Viet was no longer called. However, being "gold", it must shine. The SLNA goalkeeper continued to hone his skills in the V-League with 54 matches from the 2023 - 2024 season until now. With talent and courage rarely seen in a young goalkeeper, Van Viet has been trusted.

This season, Van Viet left the "safe zone" of SLNA to join The Cong Viettel, where he has been the starting goalkeeper since the beginning of the tournament, contributing to helping the army team maintain an unbeaten record in the V-League (3 wins, 3 draws). Van Viet has good reflexes, catches high balls consistently and quickly becomes number one. And this year, he is only 23 years old.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dan-thu-mon-nam-than-cao-lon-va-dang-cap-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185251008040343538.htm