VietNamNet Bridge – Dang Van Lam made national headlines yesterday after he denied Jordan’s attempts in front of Viet Nam’s goal during their 2019 Asian Cup qualification in HCM City on Tuesday.

Dang Van Lam of Viet Nam (centre) reacts after denying a goal from Jordan in their Asian Cup qualification match on Tuesday. — Photo goal.com

The 23-year-old goalkeeper received effusive praise from fans, experts and coaches for his performance in his 90-minute debut wearing the national jersey at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

That night, Viet Nam’s strikers wasted their chances to score a goal against Jordan, the strongest team in Group C, but Lam, on the other side, made up a stable and believable wall to cover his area.

“It was his first match for the national first team and Lam did a very good job. It is the reason why he is here with me at the post-match conference,” said coach Nguyen Huu Thang, who rarely praises any player.

Thang seems to find good hands to save his goal, the most important position of the team, but has not managed well for several years.

“I was really happy playing for the first time in the national team and more excited to have a good match, earning one point for Viet Nam,” Lam said after the 0-0 game.

It was a dream come true for the Russia-Vietnamese goalie who two years, one month and five days ago wrote on his Facebook page about his thirst for being a member of the Viet Nam national football team.

The position as the first goalkeeper did not come to Lam as a gift. It resulted from his great efforts and hard-working attitude over nearly six years.

Lam was born in 1993 to a Vietnamese father and Russian mother.

The 1.88m youth trained for five years with Spartak Moskva before playing for four years with Dynamo Moskva’s youth team, from where he moved to Rodina FC, a second-division club in Russia.

In 2011, Lam came to Viet Nam and was called to the national U19 team to compete in the ASEAN Championship. However, he was not successful and did not make any impression on Vietnamese football officials.

Finding no position at the Viet Nam’s V. League, Lam returned to Russia and continued with Rodina.

The keeper came to Viet Nam for the second time when he was contracted with Hai Phong in 2015.

It was the turning point of his career.

Lam was only the second goalkeeper in Hai Phong. He grabbed the few chances to play only when first goalie Dinh Xuan Viet was injured. However, he gradually proved his ability which was recognised by both club coach Truong Viet Hoang and the national head coach Huu Thang.

Thang, who watched him in three matches at the V. League, called him to the national team for the first time last June when Viet Nam took part in a four-a-side tournament in Myanmar.

Lam said he was really excited while his mother burst into tears on hearing the news even though he was the No 3 keeper behind Tran Nguyen Manh and Nguyen Tuan Linh.

His key chance came when the Viet Nam Football Federation and coach Thang decided to rejuvenate the team to prepare for this August Southeast Asian Games.

At 23, Lam becomes best choice

Coaches are not wrong. Lam is now the first goalie of his club and the national team.

On Tuesday, Lam saved at least five threatening finishes from Jordan side.

He blocked Hamza Al-Dardour’s header in the penalty area and stopped Odai Al Saify’s close shot in the first half.

In the second half, the ‘spider-man’ saved Viet Nam from a loss in the last 10 minutes when Jordan attacked consecutively. Lam was even a winner in a one-two situation with Monther Abu Amara in the 89th minute.

Coach Abdulla Ahmed Khalfan of Jordan said he was impressed with the Vietnamese keeper who saved his team on numerous occasions. If he had not played so outstandingly, his team would have at least two goals, the Jordanian coach said.

He confirmed that Lam was the one who demolished his plan of taking three points home.

Taking about the young goalie, expert and former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh said Lam showed good form and reflexes, took accurate decisions and remain calm in all situations.

Vinh believed that Lam would be a key member of the team in the future.

Veteran commentator Bui Quang Huy and experienced coach Le Thuy Hai also expressed appreciation for Lam as one of the best players of the match.

“I really like the way he (Lam) performed today. His big form is a plus, he played steadily and safely, and managed his area very well. He deserves to be a regular member of the national team,” Hai said.

Goalkeeper coach Vo Van Hanh said, "Lam’s disadvantage was his mental state. He was nervous. However, he overcame that and could play better. His stable performance is a key point in helping the whole team compete well against Jordan.”

Lam received congratulations from his family and friends after the game but knew this was only the beginning.

“I know Jordan are a strong team so I am focussing 100 per cent in this match. This draw will make us more confident for the next target. I will try my best to maintain my peak and contribute more to the national team,” Lam said. 

VNS