Controversial boundary line
Le Van Do was named by coach Kim Sang-sik in the list of Vietnam national team to prepare for the match against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This is the first time the Korean coach has called up this midfielder.
Previously, when the Vietnamese team was led by Mr. Park Hang-seo and Philippe Troussier, Le Van Do was rarely on the list. According to statistics, he has only played once at the national team level.
Mr. Philippe Troussier is the type of coach who gives opportunities to young talents, while clearly understanding the abilities and prospects of Van Do. However, this strategist almost only used Van Do in U23 Vietnam tournaments, instead of bringing him to the national team.
However, even when playing in the same generation of players, Le Van Do's rebound at U23 Vietnam was not as great as Mr. Troussier himself expected. The 32nd SEA Games is considered a disappointing tournament for Van Do. This player continuously wasted opportunities in the home team's key matches.
Even in the bronze medal match against Myanmar, Le Van Do missed the opportunity right in front of the goal. That tournament caused the young striker to receive a lot of criticism from fans.
On the contrary, when he returned to the club, Le Van Do played well for Hanoi Police. At the end of last season, he made his senior Vu Van Thanh a "support" in the personnel calculation of coach Mano Polking.
In the V.League and AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026, Van Do started 11 matches. In addition to 1 goal and 1 assist, this player also actively contributed to the attacks on the right wing of the police team.
Witnessing Van Do playing in some matches in the AFC Champions League Two, coach Pham Minh Duc affirmed that this versatile player is not only strong in his ability to cross the ball to the far post, but also takes advantage of situations that allow him to penetrate the opponent's penalty area.
Need to confirm when joining the Vietnam national team
Le Van Do's good form in the early stages of the season is the reason why coach Kim Sang-sik decided to call him up, although he still has 2 other quality options in hand, Truong Tien Anh and Tran Bao Toan.
The Korean coach adheres to the right guideline in his work, which is to be ready to open the door for high-performance players, even if they have played below their strength in the past. The appearance of Phan Tuan Tai is also a proof.
From his perspective, after nearly 2 years of absence from the national team, this is an opportunity for Van Do to prove his ability. That affirmation is not only for coach Kim Sang-sik, but also for Vietnamese fans.
Through the sharing of many friends, Le Van Do has gone through months of pressure and controversy. Mistakes, especially the cooling shot that led to a red card in a recent match, have caused the 24-year-old player to be criticized on social media. On the contrary, despite trying to play well at Hanoi Police, the recognition from fans for Van Do is very modest.
The opportunity is in Van Do's hands in this training session. Even if he can retain and perform well in the match against Laos, he can regain the sympathy and trust of the fans.
A few years ago, Mr. Park Hang-seo rated Le Van Do as having speed and competing intelligently. This player has prospects in finishing, especially long-range shots and free kicks. He is a versatile player, able to meet both defensive and attacking tasks. However, the mentality and experience in international competition are things that this striker needs to strive to develop and perfect.
