Vietnam national football team coach Kim Sang-sik made an unexpected discovery at Nam Dinh Stadium. Instead of attending a match at Ninh Binh Stadium featuring key players from the national team, he chose to watch the game between Nam Dinh FC and Ho Chi Minh City Police FC, allowing him to assess the competitiveness and potential of players who have recently emerged as strong contenders. The Vietnam national team is currently preparing for the 2026 ASEAN Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup.
On June 11, local time, the daily newspaper Culture and Sports reported that Coach Kim attended the match at Tien Truong Stadium to evaluate not only established players like Suan Son and Van Bi from Nam Dinh FC but also the rising talents from Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
The match proved to be a fruitful outing for Coach Kim. Selecting players for the national team is a critical task as Vietnam prepares for the upcoming tournaments, and new talents have been consistently emerging throughout the season. Among the teams, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC stood out as they have been recognized for making significant strides in the V-League towards the end of the season.
Currently, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC has climbed to fifth place in the league and has reached the National Cup finals. Given the challenges and internal changes they faced during the season, their achievements have exceeded expectations. Their 4-2 victory over Nam Dinh FC showcased this transformation, with the team scoring four goals in the first half to effectively seal the match.
Raphael Uchig opened the scoring, followed by goals from Mateus Felipe, Lee Williams, and Jia Bao, who netted a goal just before halftime, extending the lead to 4-0.
Notably, the scoring was not concentrated among specific players. Contributions came from forwards and defenders alike, highlighting the team’s overall organization and balanced strength.
If Coach Kim was searching for new resources for the national team, he certainly found noteworthy players. Jia Bao, in particular, made a strong impression. Having previously been selected for the national team under Coach Kim, he demonstrated stability in defense and scored a goal, showcasing his growth. He found the net against Nam Dinh FC goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Main, proving his competitiveness on both ends of the field. Lee Williams, a Vietnamese-American player, also caught attention with his scoring ability and active contributions that shifted the game's momentum.
With excellent physical attributes, aerial prowess, and a modern playing style, Williams is being considered as a potential attacking resource for the national team, especially if he completes his citizenship process in the coming months.
In goal, Patrick Le Zhang reaffirmed his value. Although he conceded two goals, he made several crucial saves throughout the match, thwarting Nam Dinh FC's attacking efforts. Despite multiple scoring opportunities for Nam Dinh FC, Le Zhang's interventions were decisive. Having already obtained Vietnamese nationality, he is regarded as a strong candidate for the national team goalkeeper position.
Meanwhile, Nam Dinh FC, led by coach Bu Hong Viet, suffered a painful defeat at home, concluding their season. Once considered a contender for multiple trophies, the team ended the season without lifting any silverware.
Ultimately, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the match was Coach Kim, who gained valuable insights into the performance of existing national team players and the potential of those who have emerged strongly at the season's end, providing essential data for future team selections.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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