Waiting for the day to be selected for the national team.
Six months after Hanoi Police Football Club began the process of applying for Vietnamese citizenship for Jason Pendant Quang Vinh, the defender born in 1997 has finally realized his wish to become a citizen of Vietnam. He decided to take his mother's surname from his sacred and noble Vietnamese name: Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.
On the very first evening of his Vietnamese citizenship, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh's home welcomed a special and close guest: Nguyen Filip. The Vietnamese-born goalkeeper brought a cake to share with his teammate at Hanoi Police FC. More than a year ago, Nguyen Filip himself experienced immense happiness when he officially received Vietnamese citizenship after a decade of patiently waiting.
It's worth remembering that during that same period, football fans have been searching for many talented Vietnamese expatriates playing football around the world . Jason Quang Vinh and Nguyen Filip are two of the most highly regarded Vietnamese expatriates with the greatest potential to contribute to the Vietnamese national team. And that prospect has become a reality after both of these talented players agreed to join Hanoi Police FC in particular and the V.League in general.
Through their efforts, the Police football team has supported and fulfilled the aspirations of Nguyen Filip, or even Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, to become a Vietnamese citizen and contribute to the "Golden Star Warriors" in the near future.
Just like when Nguyen Filip received Vietnamese citizenship and played for the Vietnamese national team, fans are eagerly awaiting the moment Quang Vinh is called up by coach Kim Sang-sik in June. Especially given the Vietnamese national team's lack of a top-class left-back following Doan Van Hau's long-term injury, Quang Vinh's presence would have significant professional implications.
In fact, upon joining Hanoi Police FC in August 2024, Quang Vinh filled the left-back position previously occupied by Van Hau. The player born in 1997 played in 15 out of 16 V.League matches; and appeared in 5 out of 6 matches in the Southeast Asian Club Championship for Hanoi Police FC. In 4 out of those 5 matches, Quang Vinh started and played the full game. The same thing happened in the National Cup, where coach Mano Polking trusted the left-back position to the player who developed his skills in French football.
"Jason Quang Vinh is a fantastic player; he's very versatile, can play in many positions, and has performed well since the beginning of the season. He's intelligent and plays brilliantly in his role. If he were granted Vietnamese citizenship, I think he would be of great help to the Vietnamese national team," coach Mano Polking praised his player.
"Dream team" for the Vietnamese national team.
Not only Mano Polking, but also coach Kim Sang Sik has long kept the door open, waiting for Quang Vinh to join the national team. With Van Hau's return date still uncertain, Viet Hung failing to impress, and Van Vi only performing adequately, Jason Quang Vinh's high-level playing experience in the US and France is exactly what the Vietnamese national team needs.
"If Vietnamese-American player Jason Quang Vinh obtains Vietnamese citizenship, I would very much like to call him up to the Vietnamese national team. Of course, to become a national team player, Quang Vinh must truly demonstrate love, dedication, and a willingness to sacrifice for the Vietnamese national team. If he can do that, I am ready to give him the opportunity," emphasized coach Kim Sang-sik.
Mr. Tran Anh Tu, Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation, also enthusiastically stated: "Jason Quang Vinh Pendant of Hanoi Police FC is a promising player. He is young and plays in the left-back position, which the national team needs to strengthen. With Quang Vinh, the left-back position of the Vietnamese national team will have another talented player. But we also need to consider whether this player fits the coach's tactics."
Jason Quang Vinh is indeed a crucial piece that the Vietnamese national team needs, especially as they will face a very formidable Malaysia away from home this June. That match will be a decisive turning point in determining the "Golden Star Warriors'" qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup. Furthermore, he is a valuable asset in the "dream team" that Vietnamese fans have been waiting for for so long.
Nothing would be better than having Nguyen Filip in goal, Jason Quang Vinh on the left flank, and Nguyen Xuan Son in attack for the "Golden Star Warriors." Interspersed among these Vietnamese-born and naturalized players, the presence of players like Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Tien Dung, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Ngoc Tan, etc., would create a strong enough squad for the Vietnamese national team to compete in the 2027 Asian Cup or defend their AFF Cup title!
How experienced is Quang Vinh?
Jason Pendant Quang Vinh (Vietnamese name: Cao Pendant Quang Vinh) began his professional football career at local club Sarcelles AAS before joining Sochaux, a team that spent most of its time playing in Ligue 2. He has a French father and a Vietnamese mother. After impressive performances for the Sochaux first team in the 2016/17 season, he was signed to a professional contract. On January 23, 2018, Jason Pendant Quang Vinh scored his first professional goal for Sochaux against Colomiers in the Coupe de France.
After a stint with Sochaux, on March 10, 2020, Jason Pendant Quang Vinh completed his transfer to the New York Red Bulls in the MLS. On July 11, 2020, he made his debut for the New York Red Bulls in a 1-0 victory against Atlanta United.
After two years competing in MLS, on July 12, 2022, Jason Pendant Quang Vinh decided to return home to play for Quevilly Rouen, a club competing in Ligue 2. There, he is considered an irreplaceable pillar of the team from western France. The defender, born in 1997, is also part of Quevilly Rouen's leadership team.
In August 2024, Quang Vinh agreed to sign a two-year contract with Hanoi Police Football Club. He became a key player for the team. Six months after returning to play in the V.League, Quang Vinh was granted Vietnamese citizenship.
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