Jason Quang Vinh is about to become a Vietnamese citizen
One of the motivations that motivated Jason Pendant Quang Vinh to come to Vietnam to compete was to wear the national team jersey.
On the day of his debut at the Hanoi Police Club, the Vietnamese-American defender expressed his aspirations: "I am very happy to become a part of the club. I will try my best to contribute, or even further, have the opportunity to wear the Vietnam national team jersey."
Quang Vinh's dream has gradually been realized with efforts starting from the Hanoi Police. Similar to the case of goalkeeper Nguyen Filip in 2023, this team has promoted the naturalization process for the overseas Vietnamese defender born in 1997. Notably, in early October, the Vietnam Football Federation also "gave the green light" to support Jason Quang Vinh to soon achieve his wish.
Based on experts' assessment, VFF highly appreciates Quang Vinh's ability and expects that with his experience in two strong football teams in the world, France and the US, this player has the potential to contribute to the Vietnam national team for a long time.
It is known that by the end of October, Jason Quang Vinh had made great progress in naturalization. Having lived and worked in Hanoi for the past 4 months and having a mother with Vietnamese nationality, Jason Quang Vinh will likely fulfill his wish in November.
This is a necessary condition for the defender who used to play in Ligue 2 (France) and MLS (USA) to realize his dream of playing for the Vietnamese national team, especially when the AFF Cup 2024 will kick off in mid-December.
It should be added that Jason Quang Vinh's case is different from Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son). He is a player of Vietnamese origin (like Nguyen Filip) so he will be able to play for the national team immediately when coach Kim Sang-sik gives him the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Rafaelson is a naturalized Vietnamese player of foreign origin. According to FIFA regulations, Rafaelson must meet the condition of working and living in Vietnam for 5 years if he wants to play for the "Golden Star Warriors".
The Value of Jason Quang Vinh
If Jason Quang Vinh is naturalized as a Vietnamese national in November, coach Kim Sang-sik will solve a problem that has existed for over a year: finding a quality defender on the left flank.
Previously, his predecessor Philippe Troussier failed to find a replacement for Doan Van Hau (injured). From Trieu Viet Hung, Vo Minh Trong, Phan Tuan Tai to Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, Vu Van Thanh, Pham Xuan Manh... all could not fill the role that Van Hau had created in the U23 and Vietnam national team from 2018 to 2023.
But Jason Quang Vinh may be a worthy solution to Mr. Troussier and Mr. Kim Sang-sik's problem.
Take reference from Hanoi Police Club. In V.League 2023, the Hang Day Stadium team won the championship thanks to a comprehensive left winger, Van Hau.
But when the Thai Binh player was injured for the entire 2023-2024 season, Hanoi Police were immediately in trouble. Unable to let this situation happen again in the 2024-2025 season, the former V.League champion convinced Jason Quang Vinh to come back to play.
In the past 7 matches of Hanoi Police in V.League and Southeast Asia Cup C1, Quang Vinh has been continuously trusted by coach Mano Polking to start.
He integrated very well and made an impression when helping the left wing become more mobile, stronger, and safer for Hanoi Police. The clearest proof is that in V.League after 5 rounds, the police team only conceded 3 goals.
"He is a great player and has performed well. We had a hard time when he first arrived, not fully adapting to the team's style of play. But now Jason Quang Vinh is great, plays safely and has a good personality," coach Polking praised the team's valuable rookie.
Obviously, what has been happening at the Hanoi Police is similar to the current situation of the Vietnam national team. The problem of Van Hau's absence has a solution named Jason Quang Vinh. That is the value that this overseas Vietnamese defender creates, enough for Mr. Kim Sang-sik to wait for the day he successfully naturalizes and wears the national team shirt.
