VietNamNet Bridge – Having been trained at Sparktak Moskva and Dinamo Kiev FCs, 1.9m tall and handsome, the Vietnamese Russian goalkeeper of the Vietnam’s U19 football team attracts the media’s attention.

With a Vietnamese name, Dang Van Lam, 18, joined the U19 team accidently. Five months ago, Lam and his father returned to Vietnam for the wedding ceremony of his cousin. Lam was attracted by football tournaments in his hometown.

Lam met with managers of some football clubs that are playing in V-League 2011 like Hanoi ACB, Hoa Phat Hanoi and Navibank Saigon but he was impressed by Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, where employs the most professional training model in Vietnam.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s managers saw Lam as a raw gem and did not hesitate to sign a contract with Lam.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s manager Nguyen Tan Anh says: “Though he is young, Van Lam exposes very good characters of a goalkeeper. He was trained in Russia so the opportunity for him in Vietnam is open. Not only Hoang Anh Gia Lai but also the Vietnamese national team need such players in the future”.

Born in a family with Vietnamese father and Russian mother, Lam had outstanding height at school. He also loved football and was a member of the school team.

“When our team played vs. the young team of Sparktak Moskva FC, coaches of Sparktak Moskva FC asked me whether I wanted to practice with their team. Certainly I could not refuse because practicing at a famous FC like Sparktak Moskva is the dream of any kid,” Lam says.

After being trained for five years at Sparktak Moskva FC, Lam moved to another world famous FC – Dinamo Kiev to train for four years. Lam was highly appreciated by coaches of the young team of Dinamo Kiev FC.

After joining Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Lam was unexpectedly summoned to the national U19 team to prepare for the upcoming Southeast Asian champs.

Speaking Vietnamese fluently, Lam has quickly integrated into the team. He is the youngest player in the team. Though the team has up to three goalkeepers, Lam believes that the one who exerts his best effort will become the major goalkeeper.

“There is around one month for us to strive and I believe in my ability,” Lam says.

PV