Olaha Manh Duc made headlines recently by scoring the sole goal in a friendly match, leading his team, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC, to a 1-0 victory over Dong Nai FC. This performance comes at a crucial time as he awaits the opportunity to represent the Vietnamese national team.

During the break in the V.League for the September FIFA Days, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC took on Dong Nai FC, and Olaha's goal was a significant boost for the forward, who is eager to maintain his form and secure a spot on the national team. Olaha, born in 1996, has recently completed his naturalization process, closely following the call-up of another naturalized player, Williams Minh Hoang, to the national squad.

Despite being registered as a domestic player for the 2026/2027 V.League season, Olaha has not yet made the list for Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. His newly acquired Vietnamese citizenship does not automatically qualify him to play for the national team, as FIFA regulations stipulate additional requirements for naturalized players without blood ties to the country.

According to FIFA rules, naturalized players must also meet residency requirements, which include living continuously in the country for at least five years after turning 18. This is a hurdle for Olaha, who first arrived in Vietnam in January 2017 to play for Song Lam Nghe An but interrupted his residency in 2019 when he transferred to Hapoel Tel Aviv. He returned to Vietnam in January 2022 and has been residing continuously since then. If calculated from this point, he will fulfill the five-year residency requirement by January 2027.

Although he will miss the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Olaha Manh Duc's future prospects with the national team remain bright. The Vietnamese national team is currently facing challenges in their attacking lineup, especially with Xuân Son's injury and the inconsistent performances of other forwards like Tài Lộc and Hoàng Hên. In this context, a seasoned forward like Olaha, who is familiar with the Vietnamese football environment, could be a valuable addition to the team in upcoming tournaments.