Van Lam's legs make the Vietnamese team both happy and... worried: The 'steel wall' returns

The Vietnamese team welcomes the return of 'steel wall' Dang Van Lam, however, the goalkeeper born in 1993 still has weaknesses that need to be improved.

Van Lam brings stability back to the Vietnam national team

Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam's efforts for Ninh Binh Club have been duly rewarded, as the 1993-born goalkeeper has a ticket to return to the Vietnam national team.

After nearly a year, the name Van Lam reappeared. The last time the 32-year-old goalkeeper started was in a friendly match against Russia (Vietnam lost 0-3) at My Dinh Stadium, which took place in September 2024. After that, Van Lam missed the 2024 AFF Cup due to a calf injury.

When Van Lam recovered, coach Kim Sang-sik had Nguyen Dinh Trieu firmly in goal, along with Nguyen Filip, who is inherently more comprehensive. For the remaining goalkeeper position, Mr. Kim prioritized a future solution, which is Tran Trung Kien, a 22-year-old goalkeeper with full potential to go far.

Dang Van Lam (yellow shirt) returns to the Vietnam national team

PHOTO: MINH TU

From being the number one goalkeeper for 5 years, Van Lam was left out of the plan. However, the goalkeeper who used to play in Japan and Thailand did not give up. Commentator Vu Quang Huy affirmed that "Van Lam is always professional in any situation". At Ninh Binh Club, Van Lam always lives and trains according to standards.

He and his team were promoted to V-League, and then inevitably, when Ninh Binh flew high, Van Lam's performance was recognized. Coach Kim Sang-sik observed carefully, then brought his student back to the Vietnam national team.

If Nguyen Filip has difficulty with communication barriers, Dinh Trieu lacks experience in international playgrounds, and Trung Kien is too young, Van Lam is the safest option at this time. He communicates fluently after 10 years in Vietnam, has a lot of experience in the AFF Cup, Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers, and is at the "ripe" age of a goalkeeper.

Most importantly, Van Lam flourished at Ninh Binh Club. The 1993-born goalkeeper made 7 spectacular saves, including 2 one-on-one saves, helping the ancient capital team "escape" in Hai Phong .

Both saves with his feet against Fred Friday's shots showed Van Lam's steadfastness and tenacity. With an opponent in front of him and a goal as wide as a container behind him, Van Lam still managed to use his stride to block the ball in a split second.

Reliable "steel wall"

PHOTO: MINH TU

Throughout his career, the former Cerezo Osaka goalkeeper has often "covered" the goal with excellent saves. Van Lam has reflexes, the ability to read situations, save well and handle the ball safely. A reliable goalkeeper.

Van Lam's weaknesses

In the match against The Cong Viettel , Van Lam saved the goal with his foot in the 90+4 minute, helping Ninh Binh Club escape defeat.

However, Lam "Tay" had a difficult time controlling the ball with his feet, almost giving the opponent a goal. That was the situation that showed Van Lam's contrast. His feet formed a solid shield when the opponent had the ball. But, when Van Lam himself had the ball, he handled it awkwardly and uncertainly.

The ability to play with his feet and coordinate the ball has long been considered a lack, among the many strengths of Lam "Tay". Van Lam is a classic goalkeeper, only focusing on blocking and saving shots. He is not good at coordinating the play from the defense, can pass the ball smoothly and accurately to help the home team break the opponent's pressing game.

Van Lam needs to play better with his feet.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Many times, Van Lam has been flustered and kicked the ball out of bounds, or kicked the ball wrongly, creating opportunities for the opponent to attack back. The match against Iraq (lost 0-1) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November 2023 is an example.

However, it must be recognized that even if Van Lam plays well with his feet, the Vietnamese team will still find it difficult to develop the ball systematically from home. Because this is a philosophy that requires the synchronization and rhythm of the entire system, in which the goalkeeper is simply a link. Even if Van Lam plays well with his feet, but the defenders are still... clumsy like now when holding the ball, it probably won't be worth anything.

Perhaps understanding that, coach Kim Sang-sik called Van Lam back (instead of a goalkeeper who plays well with his feet like Filip). Because the first task of a goalkeeper is still to save goals, and Van Lam is more than capable of this. Wasn’t it coach Pep Guardiola who gave up a goalkeeper who plays well with his feet like Ederson, to trust a goalkeeper who plays well with his feet like Gianluigi Donnarumma?

The goalie's job is first and foremost to block shots. Therefore, Van Lam is still very valuable to the Vietnam team. Although sometimes, his legs still make many people... hold their breath!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-chan-van-lam-khien-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-vua-mung-vua-lo-tuong-thep-tro-lai-185251003171034697.htm