Cao Pendant Quang Vinh: "I was welcomed like a family member"

In this training session in early June, the team welcomed the participation of players from Becamex Binh Duong Club and Hanoi Police who had just finished the make-up match of round 23 of V.League, including goalkeeper Nguyen Filip, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa, striker Nguyen Tien Linh and especially the rookie who was called up to the national team for the first time - defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.

Quang Vinh recalled the special moment when he was first called up to the national team: “I was at the airport at that time, Nguyen Filip told me that my name was on the national team list. I was surprised and asked: Oh really? Can you show me? And I smiled brightly, because I was very, very happy.”

Quang Vinh added that not only himself but his family also burst into joy. “My mother was so proud, she cried. She told me: try your best, do everything for the country.”

With about 10 days to prepare for the match against Malaysia, Quang Vinh is confident in his ability to integrate: “I think I will be fine. I can adapt quickly. I will try my best for the team.”

Evaluating the new environment, Quang Vinh said he felt very close: “As soon as he met me, Coach Kim asked me if I was tired because I had just competed before. He said if I was tired, I should rest, because everyone had to be in the best condition when joining the national team. I found him to be a very, very good coach because he always cared about the players' feelings. The team atmosphere was very friendly. Everyone talked comfortably, laughed and welcomed me like a family member."

Quang Vinh also could not hide his joy at wearing the national team jersey for the first time: “I took a lot of photos to send to my family. I was also surprised because I did not know what number I would wear. Then I found out and was very happy.”

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has a French father and a Vietnamese mother. He officially joined the Hanoi Police Club in August 2024 and was granted Vietnamese citizenship in March 2025. He has played 33 matches in the V-League, National Cup and Southeast Asian Club Cup, scoring 2 goals.

Before returning to Vietnam, Quang Vinh played for the clubs Sochaux, Quevilly-Rouen (France) and New York Red Bulls (USA), and also played for the French U16 and U18 teams.

At the team's training session on the afternoon of June 1, some players such as goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, midfielder Duc Chien and striker Cong Phuong were still recovering from injuries and were expected to return to the training ground in the next 1-2 days.

With the squad gradually stabilizing, Coach Kim Sang Sik has strengthened the tactical content, aiming for the match predicted to be difficult against Malaysia at the "fire pit" of Bukit Jalil. The Vietnamese team is determined to achieve positive results despite suffering some losses in personnel.

Tuan Ngoc

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/cao-pendant-quang-vinh-toi-duoc-chao-don-nhu-thanh-vien-trong-gia-dinh-post550440.html