Patrik Lê Giang brings great news for the Vietnam national team

With his Vietnamese citizenship now official, goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang can confidently wear the Vietnam national team jersey in the rematch with Malaysia scheduled for March 31.

On January 28, the overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang officially received Vietnamese citizenship after living and playing in Vietnam for over three years. According to the Vietnam Football Federation, completing the naturalization process for Patrik Lê Giang aligns with the plan to enhance professional quality and pursue important goals in Vietnamese football in the near future.

This proposal was put forward by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism based on a comprehensive assessment of the goalkeeper’s abilities, international experience, and consistent performance in recent professional seasons.

Notably, with his citizenship now official, Patrik Lê Giang is fully eligible to play for Vietnam in the match against Malaysia on March 31 at Thien Truong Stadium. His inclusion promises to bring fresh energy to the red-shirted team soon. Coach Kim Sang Sik will also gain a strong additional option in goal alongside Nguyễn Filip, Đình Triệu, Đặng Văn Lâm, and Trần Trung Kiên.

Born in 1992 in Slovakia to a Vietnamese father and Slovak mother, the overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper entered Vietnam on January 25, 2023, and currently plays for Ho Chi Minh City Police Club in the V-League.

After three seasons playing in Vietnam, Patrik Lê Giang has proven his capabilities. He ranks among the top three goalkeepers with the highest average ratings according to Sofascore statistics, following Trung Kiên (HAGL) and Đình Triệu (Hai Phong). He also holds second place for the highest average saves per match (1.2 saves per game).

In the 2023/24 V-League, Patrik Lê Giang was named the best goalkeeper with 25 appearances and conceding only 26 goals, averaging 1.04 goals per match for Ho Chi Minh City Club (now Ho Chi Minh City Police).