Coach Kim Sang-sik faces a pleasant 'headache' ahead of the crucial match against Malaysia

The position once considered the most secure in the Vietnam national team has unexpectedly turned into a major uncertainty. The experienced players remain solid, but the fresh faces come with significant hopes ahead of this decisive match.

For many years, the goalkeeper spot has been a major concern for the Vietnam team. However, at present, the situation is reversed: Coach Kim Sang-sik is dealing with a "pleasant headache" as Vietnam now boasts a large and balanced pool of goalkeepers rarely seen in its history.

The fact that Vietnamese-born goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang officially acquired Vietnamese citizenship on January 28 has raised the number of goalkeepers capable of competing for the starting spot to six. This is unprecedented, especially considering that most candidates are currently in excellent form and have top-level experience.

During the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Coach Kim Sang-sik has given opportunities to various players. The five goalkeepers called up were Nguyễn Filip, Đặng Văn Lâm, Nguyễn Đình Triệu, Nguyễn Văn Việt, and Trần Trung Kiên. Each has had playing time and made certain impacts.

Nguyễn Đình Triệu started in the opening 5-0 victory over Laos, Nguyễn Filip appeared in the 0-4 loss to Malaysia, while Đặng Văn Lâm guarded the net during wins against Nepal 3-1 and Laos 2-0. Trần Trung Kiên also impressed by starting in the narrow 1-0 win over Nepal. This shows the coaching staff’s fairly equal trust among the goalkeepers.

The arrival of Patrik Lê Giang has intensified the competition. The 1992-born goalkeeper is showing consistent performance with Ho Chi Minh City Police FC, possesses an ideal physique, and has European playing experience. He could easily become Vietnam’s first-choice keeper in his initial call-up.

Beyond the experienced group, the next generation also brings hope. Although Cao Văn Bình played only one match at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, he performed excellently and played a key role in helping U23 Vietnam defeat U23 South Korea to secure third place. Additionally, Trần Trung Kiên has demonstrated great potential for future development by delivering outstanding performances in the recent U23 Asian Championship campaign.

The match against Malaysia at Thien Truong Stadium on March 31 carries life-or-death significance for Vietnam’s bid to claim the sole ticket from Group F to the 2027 Asian Cup finals. With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yet to issue an official ruling regarding Malaysia’s naturalized players, Coach Kim Sang-sik’s team must decide their fate with a convincing win, where keeping a clean sheet is especially crucial.

From now until the squad gathers, the goalkeepers’ performances in the 2025/26 V-League season will be the key factor for the coaching staff to filter and select the top three candidates. Having an abundance of quality goalkeepers not only reflects the growth of Vietnamese football but also raises higher demands for individual resilience, consistency, and timely brilliance.