Patrik Lê Giang, Tiến Linh and the race to join the Vietnam national team

At present, Patrik Lê Giang and Nguyễn Tiến Linh see the 2025/26 National Cup semifinal between CLB Công an TP.HCM and Nam Định as crucial, since both desperately want to be summoned by coach Kim Sang Sik.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is about to announce the Vietnam national team roster for the upcomingASEAN Cup2026 in the coming month.

For Tiến Linh andPatrik Lê Giang, their advantage is that they are still playing and their performances could serve as a ticket to the national team.

Among them,Patrik Lê Giangis the name that has attracted the most attention. After a long wait, the overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper has completed all necessary procedures to be eligible to represent the Vietnam national team.

That is the result of a persistent journey and also the dream he has been pursuing for many years.

However, being allowed to play for Vietnam is just the starting point. The door to the national team is open but not as wide as many think. The goalkeeper position is currently the most fiercely competitive area in Vietnamese football.

Đặng Văn Lâm and Nguyễn Filip remain experienced, proven names. Đình Triệu contributed greatly to the ASEAN Cup 2024 championship. Văn Việt is maturing in Thể Công Viettel's colors, while Trung Kiên of HAGL is always ready if coach Kim Sang Sik trusts him.

Amid such a lineup of quality opponents, Patrik Lê Giang has no special privilege other than having to prove his ability through actual form. That is why the semifinal at Thiên Trường Stadium holds great importance.

An outstanding performance against the powerful attack of Nam Định would be the strongest statement to coach Kim Sang Sik that he is ready for the competition at the national team level.

While Patrik Lê Giang is fighting for a spot among the goalkeepers, Tiến Linh has entered a decisive phase of his career revival.

A few months ago, very few believed that the former Vietnam Golden Ball winner could make such a strong comeback. A prolonged goal drought caused him to lose his familiar spot on the national team. But football always gives opportunities to those who know how to get back up.

Three goals in the final rounds of theV-Leaguehelped Tiến Linh relieve psychological pressure and also raised his total goals for Công an TP.HCM this season to 6. That number is not outstanding, but it is enough to prove that Tiến Linh's goal-scoring instinct still exists.

More importantly, the 29-year-old striker remains the type of center-forward that Vietnamese football doesn't have many of. In the context whereCoach Kim Sang Sikis building the national team with various attacking options, a high-performing Tiến Linh is always a difficult choice to ignore.

Of course, the challenge forCông an TP.HCMis not small. Nam Định is still considered superior thanks to their home advantage at Thiên Trường and a balanced squad. Coach Vũ Hồng Việt also proactively rotated the squad in the final stages of the V-League to best prepare for the National Cup.

However, CLB Công an TP.HCM possesses a special weapon called momentum. Since coach Phùng Thanh Phương took over from Lê Huỳnh Đức, the team has made an impressive sprint to finish the season in the top 5. That is an achievement few would have dared to imagine when the team went through a turbulent period.

From a certain perspective, this semifinal is like the final exam before the Vietnam national team gathers. Patrik Lê Giang andTiến Linhunderstand that they are not only fighting for the colors of Công an TP.HCM but also for the dream of wearing the Vietnam national team jersey.