Japanese student unexpectedly called up to Vietnam national team

Vietnamese-origin goalkeeper Nguyen Ba Nhat Ka, currently playing in Japan, stands out after being called up to the U19 Vietnam team in preparation for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship.

Vietnamese-origin goalkeeper Nguyen Ba Nhat Ka emerges as a notable name in the first training list of the U19 Vietnam team in 2026. The player, who is studying and competing in Japan, has been summoned to prepare for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship and also aims for the upcoming 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Recently, the U19 Vietnam team announced a list of 31 players for the first training camp of the year. This is considered a crucial initial step for the coaching staff to review and assess the squad, thereby building the core framework for the youth team before entering intensive preparation phases for international tournaments.

Among the summoned players, goalkeeper Nguyen Ba Nhat Ka attracts considerable attention. The dual-nationality player is currently a student and plays for Ryukei University's team in Japan. With an impressive height of 1.96m, Nhat Ka is evaluated to have significant advantages in the goal area, particularly in handling aerial balls and reflexes in close-range situations.

Before this call-up to the U19 Vietnam team, the young goalkeeper previously had the opportunity to train with the U20 Vietnam squad during a training camp in Japan in 2024. At that time, the coaching staff monitored and assessed Nhat Ka's potential quite positively. His continued opportunity at the U19 level indicates he is part of the long-term plans for the youth national teams.

Besides the Vietnamese-origin goalkeeper playing in Japan, the U19 Vietnam list also gathers many familiar faces who have previously worn the jersey of national youth teams such as U16, U17, or U18. Names like Nguyen Duc Nhat, Le Minh Nhat, Bach Trong Duong, Nguyen Van Quan, Nguyen Thiên Phu, Nguyen Hoang Nam, and Dinh Xuan Khai are expected to play key roles in the team's lineup.

According to the plan, the U19 Vietnam team will assemble from March 17 to 29 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center under the guidance of coach Yutaka Ikeuchi. After about a week of training, the coaching staff will conduct a squad screening, reducing some players and possibly adding new elements. The goal of this process is to foster positive competition, thereby selecting the most suitable candidates for the U19 Vietnam team as they aim for important tournaments in the 2026–2027 period.