The factor that coach Kim once 'forgot' has returned: If called, the Vietnamese team is very formidable.

Ninh Binh's excellent performance in the 2-0 win over Nam Dinh could help goalkeeper Dang Van Lam return to the Vietnam national team.

Van Lam shines to return to the Vietnam national team?

In the October call-up of the Vietnamese team (preparing for the two matches against Nepal in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers), coach Kim Sang-sik can open the door to welcome the return of some key players.

The Korean coach's philosophy is to prioritize players in good form. From this perspective, Dang Van Lam has a great opportunity to return.

Van Lam (yellow shirt) excelled in helping Ninh Binh keep a clean sheet against Nam Dinh.

PHOTO: MINH TU

In Ninh Binh's shirt, Van Lam is at his peak. In the match against Nam Dinh last night (September 22), the 1993-born goalkeeper had 4 excellent saves. Among them, the highlight was a dangerous cross-angle shot from foreign player Percy Tau at the end of the match. Despite being blindfolded, Van Lam still made good judgment and pushed the ball away thanks to his long arms.

Coach Gerald Albadalejo of Ninh Binh affirmed: "The team is lucky to have Van Lam here. For me, he is the best goalkeeper in Vietnam. Van Lam saved the goal and performed excellently. Without him, Ninh Binh would have had a very difficult time." Coach Vu Hong Viet of Nam Dinh also emphasized that Van Lam performed well.

Goalkeeper Van Lam once received skeptical looks when he signed a contract with Ninh Binh while playing in the first division. When asked if he could maintain his form and position in the national team, due to playing in a less competitive environment and without foreign players in the first division, Van Lam only affirmed that he "will try his best".

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Commentator Vu Quang Huy also shared with Thanh Nien Newspaper: "I believe Van Lam can maintain his form, because Lam is professional, lives and trains very well."

Being relegated to the first division seems to have cost Van Lam his place in the Vietnamese national team. His last appearance was in September 2024, exactly one year ago, in a friendly match against Russia.

Van Lam blocked Percy Tau's shot in the final minutes.

PHOTO: MINH TU

However, the 32-year-old goalkeeper has returned to the V-League and is showing his inherent value. Van Lam has made at least 9 saves since the start of the tournament, including important stops in matches against Ha Tinh (3-1) and Thanh Hoa (4-0).

Thanks to Van Lam's stability, Ninh Binh has only conceded 2 goals after 4 matches, being the best defensive team after 4 rounds.

Fierce competition

The Vietnamese team has many good goalkeepers, such as the "old" generation of Van Lam, Nguyen Filip, Dinh Trieu, or the young generation with Van Viet, Trung Kien.

The common point of the goalkeepers is that they all have good physique (over 1.8 m tall), long arms, and have affirmed themselves in V-League or youth teams. However, when Van Viet and Trung Kien are still very young and planned to become future options, the goal of the national team is still likely to belong to experienced goalkeepers.

Coach Albadalejo's hug for Van Lam

PHOTO: MINH TU

In the race with Filip and Dinh Trieu, Van Lam still has his own advantages. As coach Albadalejo shared, if he regains his form, Van Lam is still the best goalkeeper in Vietnam.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper has the minimum elements that make a good goalkeeper: good at saving shots, solid and safe playing style, and rich experience. Having grown up in Russia, returned to Vietnam to play, ventured to Thailand, Japan... Van Lam has a rich foundation.

Although Van Lam's legs are still a problem, as he is not the type of goalkeeper who is good at passing or controlling the ball, but for goalkeepers, first and foremost, they must have reflexes to save goals.

When competitors make mistakes or do not play regularly, steady hands will help Van Lam continue to score points with coach Kim Sang-sik.

With two matches against weaker opponents like Nepal in October, the Vietnamese team can play and experiment. Perhaps, Van Lam deserves another chance. Of course, on the condition that the 32-year-old goalkeeper continues to play well until Mr. Kim finalizes the call-up list.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhan-to-thay-kim-tung-bo-quen-da-tro-lai-neu-duoc-goi-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-rat-dang-gom-185250923103651509.htm