The left-footed defender from Ninh Bình unexpectedly joins the Vietnam national team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's inclusion of defender Lê Ngọc Bảo in the upcoming Vietnam national team camp has generated considerable surprise.

In this gathering, Ninh Bình has five players announced for the national team: Đặng Văn Lâm, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, Nguyễn Đức Chiến, Trương Tiến Anh, and Lê Ngọc Bảo. While the other names are familiar to fans Ngọc Bảo's case sparks curiosity. However, his performances for Ninh Bình since the start of the season show that his opportunity is well-founded.

The V.League newcomer started the season impressively, consistently leading the standings. The defense of the Hoa Lư capital team, under Coach Albadalejo, made a strong impression by conceding only 11 goals in the first 11 matches. In that defensive system, Lê Ngọc Bảo was a crucial link with good situational reading and stable tackling. This form is believed to have caught Coach Kim Sang Sik's attention.

However, Ninh Bình's journey hasn't always been smooth. The team then suffered three consecutive losses, putting Coach Albadalejo's position under pressure. The previously strong defense unexpectedly conceded 8 goals in those 3 matches, revealing issues in the defensive setup. Naturally, the responsibility isn't solely on any individual, but Ngọc Bảo and his teammates couldn't avoid pressure after that downturn.

In fact, Lê Ngọc Bảo isn't a completely unfamiliar name in Vietnamese football. He was previously called up by Coach Philippe Troussier and was also part of the U23 Vietnam team that won gold at SEA Games 2019. However, compared to experienced defenders like Nguyễn Thành Chung, Đỗ Duy Mạnh, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, or Trần Đình Trọng, the resume of the 28-year-old player remains relatively modest.

A key factor in Ngọc Bảo's opportunity this time is his playing position. He is a left-footed left-sided defender, a position where the Vietnam national team needs more options. Currently, only Văn Hậu and Nhật Minh can play this position for the national team. Therefore, Coach Kim Sang Sik likely wants to create new competition in the defense.

Lê Ngọc Bảo's career path has also faced many challenges. Developed from the PVF academy, he has played for clubs like Than Quảng Ninh, Cần Thơ, Phố Hiến, Bình Định, and Nam Định before joining Ninh Bình. That uneven journey helped the 1998-born defender accumulate experience and composure.

For Lê Ngọc Bảo, this return to the national team can be seen as a crucial turning point in his career. It isn't a gift fallen from heaven, but the result of relentless effort. If he utilizes this opportunity well, the Ninh Bình defender can fully open a new chapter in his journey with the Vietnam national team jersey.