Vietnam National Team may 'showcase' 8 naturalized stars against Malaysia

The March 2026 training camp of the Vietnam National Team could mark an unprecedented milestone as coach Kim Sang-sik might call up as many as 8 naturalized players, aiming for the crucial rematch against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

In defense, the new naturalized players are significantly enhancing both quality and depth. Central defender Gustavo Sant’Ana has officially become a Vietnamese citizen under the name Đỗ Phi Long. Born in 1995 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, standing 1.95 meters tall, he has competed in the V.League wearing the jerseys of Viettel, Saigon, SLNA, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, and is set to join Da Nang for the 2025-2026 season as a naturalized player.

Additionally, midfielder Hendrio has completed his naturalization process, adopting the Vietnamese name Đỗ Hoàng Hên. Born in 1994, he arrived in Vietnam in 2021 playing for Binh Dinh and quickly made an impact with his individual skills, tactical vision, and left-footed ball distribution.

In the goalkeeper position, Patrik Lê Giang has officially become a Vietnamese citizen according to Decision No. 91/QĐ-CTN dated January 28, 2026, by the President. Born in 1992 in Slovakia and trained in European football environments, Le Giang has played in the V.League since 2023 and is currently a key player for Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.

Alongside the new faces, familiar naturalized players like Nguyễn Filip, Đặng Văn Lâm and Jason Quang Vinh are likely to remain core members, forming an experienced backbone for Coach Kim Sang-sik. Up front, Nguyễn Xuân Son continues to be the biggest hope with his ability to create breakthroughs and deliver sharp finishing at critical moments.

The most notable hot topic recently has been the case of Geovane Magno. The Brazilian striker born in 1994 has played in Vietnam since 2019, representing several V.League clubs and is currently with Ninh Binh FC. Geovane has repeatedly expressed his desire to obtain Vietnamese citizenship to pursue the opportunity to represent the national team. On February 6, he posted the status “Keep fighting for the dream” accompanied by the flags of Vietnam and Brazil and the name Ninh Binh FC. In the comments, many teammates such as Đặng Văn Lâm, Lê Phát, and Tiến Anh referred to Geovane Magno as Loc or Tai Loc.

The current situation leaves the Vietnamese team no choice but to maximize all available resources. On March 31, 2026, Coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad will host Malaysia at Thien Truong Stadium. In the first leg, Vietnam suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat and currently trails by 3 points, making the path to advance very narrow. To overturn the situation, the team not only needs a win but must also secure a large margin, possibly by 4 goals or more.