Coach Kim Sang-sik aims to integrate Brazilian-born naturalized trio

Coach Kim Sang-sik stated that he is seeking solutions to combine Brazilian-born naturalized players Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc in the Vietnam national team's attack.

After two weeks of training in Hanoi, the team will depart for South Korea for a training camp. With midfielder Ngo Dang Khoa injured, the squad now has 27 players. Among them, Khuat Van Khang, Do Duy Manh, and Le Ngoc Bao are recovering from injuries. Coach Kim hopes these three players will recover in time for the training camp in South Korea.

Regarding the four naturalized players – Patrik Le Giang, Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Xuan Son, and Nguyen Tai Loc – Coach Kim noted they would add strength compared to previous call-ups. "We are striving to create the most cohesive unit, to play our best in the upcoming ASEAN Cup", he said before departure. "Brazilian-born naturalized players like Son, Hen, and Loc could form a combination, and we are exploring how to integrate them to create an optimal lineup".

Three naturalized players: goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang, forward Nguyen Tai Loc, and Nguyen Xuan Son. Photo: VFF

Nguyen Xuan Son, whose original Brazilian name is Rafaelson, obtained Vietnamese citizenship in 9/2024. He became the first naturalized player without Vietnamese heritage to be called up to the national team since 2009. During the 2024 ASEAN Cup championship campaign, he was instrumental, scoring seven goals and earning both the top scorer and best player awards.

Do Hoang Hen, whose real name is Hendrio Araujo da Silva, received Vietnamese citizenship in 10/2025. The midfielder, born in 1994, trained at La Masia, Barca's renowned youth academy. Since 2020, he has played for Binh Dinh, Nam Dinh, and currently Hanoi FC, establishing himself as one of the league's top attacking players.

Nguyen Tai Loc, originally named Geovane, was born in 1994 in Minas Gerais, Brazil. He arrived in Vietnam in 2019 to play for Saigon FC, then moved to several other clubs. In 4/2026, Geovane obtained Vietnamese citizenship and completed the transfer of his football federation registration from Brazil to Vietnam.

In South Korea, the national team will play friendly matches against K-League 1, 2, and 3 clubs. "During last year's training camp in Jeonju, we had suitable opponents to prepare for the tournament. This year is similar, and we hope to find the best solutions for the ASEAN Cup", Coach Kim revealed.

After the training camp in South Korea, the team will return to Hanoi on 14/7, then travel to Thai Nguyen for a friendly match against Myanmar on 18/7. Following this match, Coach Kim will finalize the squad for the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

The 2026 ASEAN Cup will take place from 24/7 to 8/8. Vietnam is in Group A alongside Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Timor Leste. Coach Kim's team will begin their title defense against Timor Leste on 24/7, playing an away match.

Vietnam National Team Squad:

Goalkeepers (3): Tran Trung Kien (HAGL), Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh), Patrik Le Giang (CA Ho Chi Minh City)

Defenders (11): Phan Tuan Tai (The Cong), Nguyen Thanh Chung (Hanoi), Do Duy Manh (Hanoi), Pham Xuan Manh (Hanoi), Truong Tien Anh (Ninh Binh), Le Ngoc Bao (Ninh Binh), Doan Van Hau (CA Hanoi), Bui Hoang Viet Anh (CA Hanoi), Nguyen Van Vi (Nam Dinh), Nguyen Nhat Minh (Hai Phong), Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL)

Midfielders (8): Khuat Van Khang (The Cong), Nguyen Hai Long (Hanoi), Do Hoang Hen (Hanoi), Nguyen Hoang Duc (Ninh Binh), Le Pham Thanh Long (CA Hanoi), Le Van Do (CA Hanoi), Nguyen Quang Hai (CA Hanoi), Nguyen Ngoc My (Ninh Binh)

Forwards (5): Pham Gia Hung (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Tai Loc (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Dinh Bac (CA Hanoi), Nguyen Xuan Son (Thep Xanh Nam Dinh), Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City).