OFFICIAL: U23's number 1 goalkeeper called up to Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik

Young goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien has officially been summoned to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik following his impressive performance in V.League 2025/26, with 62 saves, the highest in the league.

Coach Kim Sang Sik has decided to call up goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien to the Vietnam national team for the March 2026 training camp, thereby increasing the total number of goalkeepers in the squad to five to enhance competition for the starting spot.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will assemble to prepare for two matches during FIFA Days, including a friendly against Bangladesh and a crucial encounter with Malaysia in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Despite having only two matches, the coaching staff still aims to foster strong competition for the goalkeeper position.

With Trung Kien's additional call-up, the Vietnam national team now has five goalkeepers including Nguyen Filip, Le Giang Patrik, Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, and Tran Trung Kien. Notably, this is a rare occasion where the national team has three overseas Vietnamese goalkeepers simultaneously, promising a fierce competition for the starting position.

Tran Trung Kien is considered one of the standout young goalkeepers in Vietnamese football today. The keeper, who is part of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club, made a strong impression in tournaments participated by the U23 Vietnam team in 2025 and early 2026, and in V.League 2025/26, Trung Kien is also maintaining stable form.

After 14 starting matches in V.League 2025/26, the HAGL goalkeeper has made 62 saves, the highest achievement in the league to date. These impressive performances helped Trung Kien come into the sights of the national team coaching staff.

Being called up to the Vietnam national team is seen as a crucial opportunity for the young goalkeeper to gain more experience by training and competing alongside experienced seniors. In the context where each match can only register up to three goalkeepers, the players' performances during training will play a decisive role in their chances to play in upcoming matches.