Mr. Kim Sang-sik waits for premium ingredients

With two foreign players Geovane Magno and Janclesio waiting for Vietnamese naturalization procedures, coach Kim Sang-sik promises to have more quality players to choose from for the national team.

H AI POTENTIAL FACES

At the end of September, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Justice , requesting support for Vietnamese citizenship for striker Geovane Magno and midfielder Janclesio, two Brazilian players who have played in the V-League since 2019. Geovane and Janclesio both meet the conditions of living and playing football for 5 years in Vietnam, and have their qualifications certified.

More importantly, these two players were personally selected and recommended by coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Once they have Vietnamese nationality, both are eligible and can immediately wear the Vietnamese national team jersey, as they have basically met the conditions of the World Football Federation (FIFA).

Geovane ( right ) in the Hanoi Police Club shirt

PHOTO: MINH TU

Geovane Magno (31 years old) played for Saigon FC (2019-2020), Hanoi FC (2021), The Cong Viettel (2022-2023), Hanoi Police FC (2023-2024), Ha Tinh (2024-2025) and is currently playing for Ninh Binh FC. Geovane's peak was the 2020 season, when he and Pedro Paulo shone, helping Saigon win the V-League bronze medal. Although Saigon FC has modest strength, the "double-barreled gun" Pedro and Geovane have worked extremely well independently, with Geovane scoring 12 goals in 2 seasons as an attacking midfielder, helping Saigon FC defeat many strong opponents.

Geovane is playing outstandingly at Ninh Binh Club.

Although the Saigon team has now disbanded, Geovane's talent is still recognized. He is the first foreign player to have played for three powerful teams in the capital, including the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club), Hanoi Club and The Cong Viettel, showing the value of an attacking midfielder with excellent vision, technique, and the ability to adapt perfectly to Vietnamese football. This season, he has scored 2 goals in 5 matches, contributing to helping Ninh Binh Club fly high in the top position.

Not playing for many strong teams like Geovane, Janclesio (32 years old) used to play for Ha Tinh (2020, 2022-2023), Da Nang (2021), Becamex TP.HCM (2023-2025) and is currently playing for Ninh Binh Club. The time playing for mid-level, defensive teams like Ha Tinh Club and Da Nang Club has helped Janclesio demonstrate his class as a steel center-back, capable of commanding the defense and competing impressively in one-on-one matches. During his 2 years playing for Becamex TP.HCM, Janclesio has also become a reliable "rock" with stable performance.

In the context of V-League teams constantly changing foreign players, the fact that Janclesio and Geovane have been sought after for the past 5 years has shown the class and adaptability of the factors with Brazilian blood. If they are granted Vietnamese citizenship, it will also be a worthy reward for both.

C ENHANCED MATERIALS

Like Gustavo Sant Ana (30 years old), a player proposed by Mr. Kim Sang-sik to apply for naturalization, both Geovane and Janclesio are over 30 years old, on the other side of their careers. The two foreign players (if naturalized successfully) are unlikely to become long-term options for the Vietnamese team. Vietnamese football is also gradually changing its mindset, from "taking short-term to long-term" to building a foundation for the future, specifically developing young players.

However, between experience and youth, Mr. Kim still seeks harmony. A team full of young players may need many years to mature. Trading the achievements of those years for the players to grow up is a risky gamble. The Vietnamese team needs a balance between veterans and youth. In that, players like Geovane and Janclesio are like "museums" of experience to guide young players to maturity.

The Vietnamese team will continue to rejuvenate, as evidenced by the 7 U.23 players (4 completely new faces) that Coach Kim Sang-sik has just called up for 2 matches against Nepal in October. At the same time, the Korean coach also needs experienced veterans to lead the Vietnamese team. Xuan Son's resounding success at the AFF Cup 2024 (7 goals) has gradually erased prejudice against naturalized foreign players, which is an opportunity for Geovane and Janclesio to adapt and be accepted more easily if they have citizenship.

The Vietnamese team needs to take advantage of foreign resources, with overseas Vietnamese and naturalized foreign players, of course in reasonable proportions. We still need to leave space for young players to develop, instead of chasing after temporary achievements.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-kim-sang-sik-cho-nguyen-lieu-hao-hang-185251001231246818.htm