Who will guard the Vietnamese team's goal in the match against Malaysia?

The match between Vietnam and Malaysia in the second qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup is approaching, and while all preparations are gradually entering the final stage, one of the biggest questions remains: who will guard the goal in this crucial match?

The competition between the two goalkeepers Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Filip is very tense, and coach Kim Sang-sik will probably have to make a decision based not only on statistics, but also on personal feelings, where belief and familiarity sometimes outweigh reason.

After arriving in Kuala Lumpur on June 7, the Vietnamese team will have three final days of preparation in Malaysia before entering the official match with the home team, taking place at 8:00 p.m. (Vietnam time) on June 10 at Bukit Jalil Stadium.

This is a match that can decide the chance to continue to the final qualifying round, and in the context that the Vietnamese team does not have many absolutely certain options, the goalkeeper position becomes even more important. Currently, both Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Filip have shown good form and have not made significant mistakes in recent training sessions. That makes the problem of choosing a starting goalkeeper more difficult than ever.

Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, who plays for Hai Phong Club, was considered a reliable stopper throughout the last season, except for a few matches absent due to injury. He has good reflexes, reasonable entry and exit, and the ability to command the defense thanks to his understanding with his teammates, which he has gained through a long period of playing in an environment where communication is entirely in Vietnamese. Moreover, Dinh Trieu was also given the opportunity by coach Kim Sang-sik himself at the AFF Cup 2024, a tournament that marked a turning point in his international career. The familiarity and trust from the coaching staff for Dinh Trieu is a factor that cannot be overlooked when considering selection.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Filip, a Vietnamese-American goalkeeper playing for the Hanoi Police Club, brings a more modern image to his playing style. With a height of 1m88, good footwork skills and highly appreciated reflexes, Filip was a bright spot at the 2025 Southeast Asian Club Championship, where his team won the runner-up position.

Statistics on save percentage, successful tackles in the box and composure under pressure all show that Filip is a worthy candidate. However, Filip's barrier is the language factor and the ability to connect with teammates in defense, something he is still improving step by step but cannot compare to his colleague Dinh Trieu.

In a context where neither produces absolute superiority, it is likely that the final decision will be based partly on emotion, which is often seen in experienced coaches when forced to choose between two almost equal options.

If personal belief and past attachment play a key role, Dinh Trieu will probably continue to be given the opportunity to keep the number one position. But if coach Kim Sang-sik chooses to innovate, exploiting the goalkeeper's ability to control space and good footwork, Nguyen Filip will be a strategic choice in the long term.

Regardless of who starts, it will certainly be one of the decisions that will have the biggest impact on the outcome of the match. Because Bukit Jalil Stadium has never been an easy place for any goalkeeper, the pressure from more than 80,000 spectators and Malaysia's fast, physical style of play is always a harsh challenge. What coach Kim Sang-sik needs most right now is not only a goalkeeper with good technique, but also someone who can keep a cool head, inspire and control the emotions of the entire defense.

The match on the evening of June 10 is not only a competition of physical strength or tactics, but also a great test of the courage and accuracy in each decision of the coaching staff. And sometimes, it is the feeling, if based on a deep understanding of the students, that leads to the most accurate choices./.