"Steel Shield" Tran Trung Kien

The 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship will kick off on July 15th in Indonesia.

This goalkeeper started 24 out of 26 matches for Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) in the V-League last season. With a total of over 32 appearances in the V-League over the past three seasons, Trung Kien has not only accumulated experience at the highest level but also demonstrated his composure in crucial matches.

Tran Trung Kien is a leading candidate for the goalkeeper position in the Vietnam U22 team. Photo: QUOC AN

Trung Kien's height of 1.91m is a notable advantage in aerial situations. However, his remarkable progress also lies in his ability to read the game, make timely interventions, and maintain a strong mentality. HAGL Club's technical director, Vu Tien Thanh, commented: "Trung Kien has matured a lot in the past two years. He is now a reliable defender, demonstrated by his consistency and impressive saves in the V-League."

Having graduated from the HAGL Academy, Trung Kien won the "Best Goalkeeper" award at the 2023 National U21 Championship - where HAGL U21 emerged victorious. From there, Trung Kien earned a place in the HAGL first team and impressed the national team's coaching staff.

During the training camps of the Vietnam U22 team under coach Kim Sang-sik, Trung Kien was always the starting goalkeeper in internal matches and friendly games. In the two friendly matches against Chinese Taipei U23 in Vung Tau, which Vietnam won both times, he was in the starting lineup and played solidly.

Commenting on his player, coach Dinh Hong Vinh, who previously coached the national U22 team, assessed: "Trung Kien has a modern tactical mindset and communicates well with the defense. He is not only good at catching the ball but also capable of supporting and initiating attacks."

The Vietnam U22 team is entering its final training phase in Ba Ria - Vung Tau before heading to Indonesia to participate in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. In the 3-4-3 tactical formation of the South Korean strategist, the goalkeeper position is not simply about guarding the goal but also plays a crucial role in initiating quick counter-attacks - something that the coaching staff has high expectations for Trung Kien.

The 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship is not only where the Vietnam U22 team aims to defend their title, but also serves as an important stepping stone for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand later this year and the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers.

If he continues to maintain his consistent form and fulfill his full potential, the young goalkeeper from HAGL could absolutely become the number one goalkeeper in Vietnamese football in the near future. This aligns with coach Kim Sang-sik's goal of building a young, versatile, physically strong Vietnamese national team ready to go further with a new identity.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/la-chan-thep-tran-trung-kien-19625071219102817.htm