Naturalized players joining the national team causes many veteran Vietnamese players to lose their spots.

The emergence of naturalized recruits and Vietnamese expatriates is intensifying competition within the Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang Sik.

The June training camp of the Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang Sik is witnessing many notable changes in the squad. The appearance of new faces, especially naturalized players and overseas Vietnamese, shows that the South Korean strategist is determined to refresh the lineup ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026 and the Asian Cup 2027 finals.

The list of 28 players called up this time has drawn attention as many familiar names like Nguyen Filip, Nguyen Tien Linh or Cao Quang Vinh are absent. Instead, three new recruits, Patrick Le Giang, Ngo Dang Khoa and Nguyen Tai Loc, have been given a chance to prove themselves. This is seen as a sign that the competition for positions in the Vietnam national team is becoming increasingly intense.

Among the newcomers, Nguyen Tai Loc is the most anticipated name. The striker from Ninh Binh has extensive V.League experience playing for major clubs like Ha Noi FC, The Cong Viettel, and Ha Tinh. Last season, he scored 9 goals in the V.League and 2 goals in the National Cup, demonstrating consistent finishing ability and versatility in attack.

In midfield and on the wings, Ngo Dang Khoa brings a fresh breath of fresh air thanks to his training background in Australia. The 2006-born player impresses with his speed, skill, and modern tactical awareness of modern tactics. Coach Kim Sang Sik directly observed his performances before deciding to call him up, showing great confidence in this young talent.

The most notable case is that of Patrick Le Giang. The 1.89m tall goalkeeper has playing experience in Europe and has proven his ability while playing for CA TP. Ho Chi Minh. His arrival not only adds depth to the squad but also creates a fierce battle for the number one goalkeeper spot against Dang Van Lam and others.

Boldly giving opportunities to new players reflects Coach Kim Sang Sik's long-term squad-building direction. As Southeast Asian football becomes increasingly competitive due to a wave of naturalizations, the Vietnam national team is also actively renewing itself to maintain its status and aim for major future goals.