Vietnam National Team: Van Lam 'defeated' the best goalkeeper of AFF Cup, why not?

The competition between Van Lam, Dinh Trieu and Van Viet promises to be unpredictable, as all three goalkeepers of the Vietnamese national team are in stable form.

Vietnam team continues to change goalkeeper?

During the year that coach Kim Sang-sik took charge of the Vietnamese national team, the goalkeeper position left the most question marks.

At the AFF Cup 2024, Mr. Kim prioritized using goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, even though in the first 5 matches, the starting position belonged to Nguyen Filip (3 matches) and Dang Van Lam (2 matches). Dinh Trieu proved that Mr. Kim's decision was correct, when he rose from the "unknown" position to become the best goalkeeper of the AFF Cup with good performance, although sometimes he made mistakes.

It seemed like Dinh Trieu was destined for a permanent starting position in the Vietnam national team, but once again, change appeared.

Van Lam in the Vietnamese national team jersey

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Kim Sang-sik used... 4 goalkeepers in 4 matches. Dinh Trieu played against Laos (won 5-0), Nguyen Filip played against Malaysia (lost 0-4), and Van Lam and Tran Trung Kien took turns playing in the first and second leg matches against Nepal (won 3-1 and 1-0). This is the first time in history that the Vietnamese team has rotated 4 goalkeepers in an official tournament, not due to injury or card penalties.

Coach Kim Sang-sik once affirmed that his decision came from the advice of Mr. Lee Woon-jae, who is the "left-hand man" given full authority by Mr. Kim to train and evaluate goalkeepers.

The way the Korean duo have used their players so far has shown that the goalkeeper position has not (or does not need to) be assigned to any individual. In each training session, whoever has the best form and mentality, and is most suitable for the playing style, will be chosen.

In the November training session, the goalkeeper position will certainly be changed compared to the previous match when Trung Kien returns to wear the U.23 shirt. This time, Van Lam, Dinh Trieu and Van Viet are called. Normally, when Dinh Trieu is available, Mr. Kim will prioritize the 1991-born goalkeeper to start. Dinh Trieu is also the goalkeeper who has played the most matches for the team under Mr. Kim, with 8 times.

However, Dinh Trieu must overcome the "wall" of Van Lam, who has started 43 matches for the national team in the past 9 years.

Van Lam is stable

PHOTO: MINH TU

In club colors, both have similar achievements when starting all 11 matches for their home team in V-League since the beginning of the season.

Dinh Trieu and Hai Phong FC played brilliantly, finishing third with 20 points. Despite their modest strength, the team from the port city still flew high thanks to their control of the game and their methodical, coordinated play. The defense with "lighthouse" Dinh Trieu also played an important role, helping Hai Phong have a stable foundation to break away.

Van Lam and Ninh Binh FC were equally impressive, going undefeated in 11 matches (8 wins, 3 draws) to lead the V-League, 7 points ahead of the second-placed team. The 1993-born goalkeeper, despite only keeping a clean sheet in 3 matches (27.2%), made a spectacular comeback with a series of impressive saves. Van Lam still had good one-on-ones, quick reflexes and a strong mentality.

Who is better?

In the uncompromising race, Van Lam gained a slight advantage.

He still has more international experience, his performance at the club is also better than Dinh Trieu with more clean sheets, save percentage... more. Van Lam's weakness in footwork is probably not a problem when the next match, Vietnam team meets Laos. Against the opponent with the second weakest attack in the group, Van Lam will not be under much pressure to press.

At the age of 34 (about to turn 35), can Dinh Trieu maintain his form after being injured many times in the past year? That is still a question mark.

Can Dinh Trieu (right) and Van Viet cause a surprise?

PHOTO: MINH TU

However, don't forget that in addition to Van Lam and Dinh Trieu, the Vietnamese team also has Van Viet. The young goalkeeper of The Cong Viettel played in an internal friendly match in September (against CAHN Club and Nam Dinh Club). Van Viet is an all-round goalkeeper, with good ball-catching technique, good reflexes and good footwork. "It's very difficult to beat Van Viet in training sessions because he has quick reflexes and is very 'tough' at catching," a The Cong Viettel player revealed.

Like the way Mr. Kim used Trung Kien, in a match without much defensive pressure, it is very possible that a goalkeeper "planned" for the future like Van Viet will have a place.

The goalkeeper position will be unpredictable. Coach Kim Sang-sik is ready to use a fifth goalkeeper after only five matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-van-lam-danh-bai-thu-mon-hay-nhat-aff-cup-tai-sao-khong-185251110095550368.htm