Patrik Le Giang: 'I waited more than ba years to wear the Vietnam national team jersey'

Naturalized goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang views his call-up to the Vietnam national team as a sweet reward after ba years of waiting and effort.

Le Giang was born in 1992 in Slovakia. He developed in European football before moving to Vietnam in 2023, playing for Cong an Ha Noi Club, then Ho Chi Minh City Club, and currently Cong an Ho Chi Minh City. On 13/5, he received Vietnamese citizenship and completed procedures with the Slovakia Football Federation, allowing coach Kim Sang-sik to call him to the Vietnam national team for the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2026.

"I am very happy to finally wear the Vietnam national team jersey after more than ba years of waiting. This moment is truly special and proud," Le Giang stated before the afternoon training session on 23/6 in Ha Noi. The goalkeeper, who has both Vietnamese and Slovakian heritage, thanked his club, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), and all involved parties for supporting the FIFA procedures.

Le Giang training at the VFF pitch, My Dinh, Ha Noi on the afternoon of 23/6. Photo: VFF

Le Giang is one of 5 naturalized players called up this time, alongside Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Tai Loc, and Nguyen Dang Khoa.

Despite being a naturalized player, Le Giang speaks Vietnamese well, which allowed him to integrate quickly with his new teammates. "We only met yesterday for the team gathering. I do not know many people yet, but the whole team welcomed me warmly. We will work together to prepare well for the upcoming ASEAN Cup," the goalkeeper added.

According to Le Giang, ba players currently have minor injuries or are overloaded after a long club season, so they cannot train with the full squad. However, he believes they will recover quickly, allowing the team to train with its most complete lineup.

Vietnam will train in Ha Noi before traveling to South Korea for a training camp starting 2/7. Afterward, the team will return home to play a friendly match against Myanmar on 18/7 at Thai Nguyen Stadium. Following this match, coach Kim will finalize the squad list for the ASEAN Cup 2026.

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

Vietnam National Team Squad List:

Goalkeepers (ba): 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 (Ha Noi), Do Duy Manh (Ha Noi), Pham Xuan Manh (Ha Noi), Truong Tien Anh (Ninh Binh), Le Ngoc Bao (Ninh Binh), Doan Van Hau (CA Ha Noi), Bui Hoang Viet Anh (CA Ha Noi), Nguyen Van Vi (Nam Dinh), Nguyen Nhat Minh (Hai Phong), Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL)

Midfielders (9): Khuat Van Khang (The Cong), Nguyen Hai Long (Ha Noi), Do Hoang Hen (Ha Noi), Nguyen Hoang Duc (Ninh Binh), Le Pham Thanh Long (CA Ha Noi), Le Van Do (CA Ha Noi), Nguyen Quang Hai (CA Ha Noi), Ngo Dang Khoa (CA Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Ngoc My (Ninh Binh)

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