CAHN vs Lion City 4 quang vinh.jpg

Jason Quang Vinh is a crucial addition to the Vietnam national team. Photo: SN

The Vietnamese national team may soon benefit from the services of Jason Quang Vinh, but that does not necessarily mean Coach Kim Sang Sik can breathe easy about the left flank.

A crucial addition, but concerns remain

Recent updates suggest that Jason Quang Vinh could complete his naturalization process as early as March or April. Because of his Vietnamese heritage, the left-winger is immediately eligible to play for the national team without the five-year waiting period required for players like Nguyen Xuan Son.

The arrival of Jason Quang Vinh is undoubtedly a reinforcement Coach Kim Sang Sik has been anticipating in his efforts to elevate the Vietnamese squad and pursue greater ambitions. Most importantly, his presence is expected to resolve long-standing concerns about the left flank - a weak spot in Vietnam’s formation in recent times.

Despite efforts from players like Van Vi and Xuan Manh, fans have yet to see a convincing replacement for Van Hau. That is why Jason Quang Vinh’s potential inclusion (once his naturalization is finalized and he earns Coach Kim’s trust) brings a great deal of hope for the Vietnamese team’s left wing.

Proceed with caution

There is no doubt about Jason Quang Vinh’s skill and experience, having played in France’s top divisions. However, it remains uncertain whether he can be fully relied upon at this stage.

In recent matches, the CAHN (Hanoi Police FC) player, whose mother is Vietnamese, has shown inconsistent form. For instance, in CAHN’s recent hard-fought victory against The Cong Viettel - one of their fiercest competitors for the V-League title - he committed a crucial mistake leading to a goal concession, nearly costing his team the win.

Beyond performance concerns, Jason Quang Vinh also faces communication challenges with his Vietnamese teammates, leading to defensive coordination issues similar to those seen with Nguyen Filip.

That said, his inclusion in the squad remains an exciting prospect. However, Coach Kim Sang Sik cannot afford to place all his hopes - or strategic plans - on the CAHN winger, as he once did with Nguyen Xuan Son.

Simply put, Jason Quang Vinh has yet to deliver a flawless performance that would completely erase Coach Kim’s concerns.

Jason Quang-Vinh Pendant (born February 9, 1997, in France) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Hanoi Police FC in V.League 1. He began his career at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard before moving to New York Red Bulls (MLS) and later Quevilly-Rouen (Ligue 2). Born to a Vietnamese mother and a Martiniquais father, he has expressed interest in representing Vietnam internationally. Efforts are underway to facilitate his naturalization for the national team.

Duy Nguyen