The star striker soon to be naturalized in Vietnam scores again

The only goal scored by Gordon Rimario – the striker who is about to receive Vietnamese citizenship – led Đông Á Thanh Hóa to their initial win of the V.League 2025/2026.

Đông Á Thanh Hóa entered the 2025/2026 season aiming to improve their performance and quickly escape the bottom group. Before the season started, the Thanh Hóa club planned to naturalize striker Gordon Rimario to register him as a domestic player, but ultimately registered him as a foreign player to ensure attacking strength from the outset.

Rimario has lived and played in Vietnam for 8 years, having represented major clubs such as HAGL, Hà Nội FC, Bình Dương, and Thanh Hóa itself. He has scored 61 goals and provided 26 assists, winning the V.League 2022 top scorer title with Hải Phòng. After a serious ligament injury, Rimario made a strong comeback under coach Choi Won Kwon, quickly proving his value with impressive performances.

Not only highly regarded for his skills, Rimario has also expressed his desire to naturalize and contribute to the Vietnamese national team. He considers Vietnam his second home and wrote a heartfelt letter to fans expressing his attachment. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has sent an official request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to assist with his naturalization process, affirming that he is a talent who can contribute to the national team.

In the latest round, Thanh Hóa traveled to play away against Sông Lam Nghệ An at Vinh Stadium. Facing an opponent also near the bottom of the table, the Thanh Hóa team started with strong determination. Early on, they created several dangerous chances but failed to convert them. The turning point came in the 32nd minute when SLNA’s defense made a mistake, allowing Rimario to quickly finish into an open net, scoring a valuable opening goal for the visitors.

In the second half, Sông Lam Nghệ An launched all-out attacks but could not break through Thanh Hóa’s solid defense. Goalkeeper Xuân Hoàng made multiple excellent saves, helping Thanh Hóa maintain their 1-0 lead. This result allowed Thanh Hóa to surpass Đà Nẵng and Sông Lam Nghệ An, climbing to 11th place on the standings.

This victory holds great significance for Thanh Hóa as it officially ends a disappointing streak and restores their fighting spirit. It was also an emotional shining moment for Rimario Gordon – the striker soon to be naturalized – who is demonstrating his strong desire to contribute to Vietnamese football through his performance and determination on the field.