Coach Kim Sang Sik selects Le Giang to refresh Vietnam's national team goal.

The 4-0 win against Myanmar wasn't just the end of a successful pre-tournament rehearsal for Vietnam before the ASEAN Cup 2026; it also solidified a new goalkeeper's place. Patrik Le Giang seized the moment to earn points with Coach Kim Sang Sik.

From friendly matches in South Korea to a solid performance at Thai Nguyen Stadium, the goalkeeper of Cong An Ha Noi FC proves he has what it takes to become the top choice in the quest to defend Southeast Asia's crown.

For a team aiming for the championship, the goalkeeper position is always the foundation of any success.

Coach Kim Sang Sik appears to have settled on a brand-new goalkeeper for the regional title defense campaign.

Le Giang is making the most of his chance. His performance against Myanmar didn't feature many spectacular saves, but it displayed all the qualities a modern goalkeeper needs.

Born in 1992, the goalkeeper controls the 16.5-meter area, reads situations quickly, and especially maintains calmness in organizing defense.

That's what satisfied Coach Kim Sang Sik after the match. He had already "spotted" the 34-year-old goalkeeper earlier, and this was Le Giang's chance to shine. The Cong An Ha Noi goalkeeper can instruct teammates and give a sense of security to the defenders. In the match at Thai Nguyen Stadium, Patrik Le Giang kept a clean sheet.

Throughout the training camp in South Korea up to now, the 1992-born goalkeeper has shown consistency—quiet, without flashy dives, building trust through reliability.

The South Korean coach did not hide his satisfaction, stating that Le Giang, along with Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, and Tai Loc, all completed their tasks well. More importantly, he emphasized that the coaching staff will continue developing plans to maximize these players' potential at the ASEAN Cup.

In the competition for the goalkeeper position, Le Giang not only faces experienced colleagues like Van Lam or Trung Kien but also has to prove himself in his first time wearing the Vietnam national team jersey.

After many years of outstanding performances in the V-League, this is his first opportunity with the national team. The desire to assert himself helps the Cong An Ha Noi goalkeeper maintain high focus and fighting spirit.

At 34, the overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper is entering the prime of a goalkeeper's career. This is a position where experience, game reading, and composure often outweigh speed or strength. Years of top-level play in the V-League have given Le Giang the calmness needed in big matches.

Last season was the clearest proof. Le Giang played a major role in helping Cong An Ha Noi win the National Cup and finish in the top 5 of the V-League.

However, the competition is not over yet. Van Lam remains one of Vietnam's most internationally experienced goalkeepers, while Trung Kien represents the future with youth and development potential.

The ASEAN Cup 2026 will kick off in just a few days. Coach Kim Sang Sik has not yet announced who will be the number one goalkeeper. But what has happened during the preparation period suggests the scales are tipping toward Patrik Le Giang.

After a long period of patient waiting and effort, this may be the moment for Patrik Le Giang to realize his dream.