Close-up of the 1.96m tall Vietnamese U19 goalkeeper returning from Japan

Goalkeeper Nguyen Ba Nhat Ka stood out in the Vietnamese U19 training session because of his remarkable height of 1.96m.

Vietnamese-born goalkeeper Nguyen Ba Nhat Ka (born 2007) is a notable figure in the first call-up list of the Vietnamese U19 team in 2026, aiming for the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship and the 2027 AFC U20 qualifiers. Currently, Nhat Ka is studying and playing in Japan for Ryukei University.

Nhat Ka draws attention with his 1.96m height. In terms of stature, Nhat Ka is even taller than his senior Filip Nguyen (1.92m) in the Vietnamese national team.

During the training session on March 17, Nhat Ka impressed with his outstanding height. He and other goalkeepers carried out the prescribed training drills, including exercises for controlling the ball with their feet.

Previously, Nhat Ka had trained with the Vietnamese U20 team during a training camp in Japan in 2024 and received positive evaluations from the coaching staff. His continued call-up indicates that Nhat Ka is part of the long-term plans for the youth national teams.

Nhat Ka training with the Vietnamese U19 team - Photo: Son Tung

This Vietnamese U19 squad list includes 31 players, marking the initial step for screening and building the team. Besides Nhat Ka, many familiar faces from U16–U18 teams such as Nguyen Duc Nhat, Le Minh Nhat, Bach Trong Duong, and Nguyen Hoang Nam are expected to play key roles.

The Vietnamese U19 team will assemble from March 17 to 29 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center under the guidance of coach Yutaka Ikeuchi. After this training phase, the coaching staff will filter and supplement personnel to foster competition and refine the squad for upcoming objectives.