Vietnam national team rotates goalkeeper: Van Lam or Dinh Trieu?
Coach Kim Sang-sik maintains the rotation of the goalkeeper position. Dinh Trieu, Van Lam and Van Viet compete equally; Van Lam's 43-match experience compares to Dinh Trieu's performance.
The goalkeeper position of the Vietnam National Team continues to be a hot spot under coach Kim Sang-sik. The November training session witnessed a direct competition between Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Van Viet, as the Korean coach firmly adhered to the philosophy of "whoever is most suitable will be the main goalkeeper".
Coach Kim Sang-sik's rotation plan
After more than a year in charge, coach Kim Sang-sik has created a rare precedent: the goalkeeper position is rotated not because of injury or suspension but based on performance and tactical suitability. At the AFF Cup 2024, Nguyen Dinh Trieu was unexpectedly trusted to replace Nguyen Filip and Dang Van Lam, then ended the tournament with the title of best goalkeeper.
In the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the rotation was pushed to the maximum: four goalkeepers for four consecutive matches — Dinh Trieu (match against Laos), Nguyen Filip (match against Malaysia), Van Lam and Tran Trung Kien (two matches against Nepal). Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that this decision was made with professional advice from goalkeeper coach Lee Woon-jae, with a clear viewpoint: "In each training session, whoever has the best form and mentality, most suitable for the playing style, will be selected."
Van Lam and Dinh Trieu: a two-horse race
The November roster features three names: Dinh Trieu, Van Lam and Van Viet. According to the habit of arranging personnel, Dinh Trieu has a relative advantage as he has played 8 matches under coach Kim Sang-sik. However, in front of him is a "wall" of experience named Dang Van Lam.
Van Lam has 43 starts for the national team in 9 years, an outstanding international capital. At the club level, he started all 11 matches, contributing to the team leading the V-League with an unbeaten record (8 wins, 3 draws). Although he only kept a clean sheet in 3 matches (27.2%), Van Lam still showed a strong comeback with reflexes and one-on-ones.
On the other side, Nguyen Dinh Trieu also started 11 matches and together with Hai Phong finished third in the V-League. The tempo-controlling style of the port city team puts the goalkeeper in the role of stabilizing the defensive structure, where Dinh Trieu has shown a clear role. The problem lies in maintaining form after injuries in the past year.
| Index | Dang Van Lam | Nguyen Dinh Trieu |
|---|---|---|
| Main referee at the club (match) | 11 | 11 |
| Club achievements | Leading V-League, unbeaten (8 wins, 3 draws) | Hai Phong third place V-League |
| Clean sheet at the club | 3 (27.2%) | — |
| Number of matches under coach Kim Sang-sik | — | 8 |
Tactically, Van Lam’s weakness with his feet may not be a big problem if the upcoming opponent is Laos — the team with the second weakest attack in the group and less pressing pressure. On the contrary, if the priority is the ability to participate in the rotation of the ball from the back line, Dinh Trieu is an option to consider, provided he maintains good physical condition.
Surprise factor: Van Viet
Nguyen Van Viet (The Cong Viettel) is a name that cannot be ignored. Similar to the way coach Kim Sang-sik once gave Tran Trung Kien a chance, Van Viet can be considered for a long-term plan. He is considered to be well-rounded, has good reflexes and is a stable player.
With the opposition not being too strong and the defensive requirements not too heavy, this is an opportunity to experiment. If used, Van Viet will become the fifth goalkeeper to be used in just five matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers — a clear testament to the versatility and competitiveness of the goalkeeper position.
The deciding factor
The starting gate is open to all three, but the criteria remain consistent: form, mentality, and tactical fit. In the two-horse race between Van Lam’s experience and Dinh Trieu’s form, Van Viet’s presence makes coach Kim Sang-sik’s choice more unpredictable — and also promises to raise the bar for competition for the Vietnamese national team’s goalkeeping.