Vietnamese football: The "gamble" of foreign players.

Actually, this is the foreign player that XSKT.Cần Thơ initially had in mind for this season. His professional quality was decent, and importantly, he had already been tested while playing for HAGL. However, due to a past injury that the medical staff of the Can Tho team weren't sure had fully healed, they decided to let him go to Vinh.

4 months playing for 3 teams

For many years now, V-League teams have been facing the bitter reality of repeatedly failing to produce any foreign players they recruit. Olaha of SLNA, with his impressive resume and consistent goal-scoring performances in training, is a prime example of this, failing to score even after signing a formal contract.

Previously, the case of Brazilian star Denilson was a tragicomic story that even today, Hai Phong fans still recall with disgust the level of Vietnamese doctors' medical examinations for players. A "warrior" who was once of international caliber came to Lach Tray Stadium to recuperate and treat his injury rather than to play.

Wander Luiz played for three different teams in the V.League in four months. Photo: Internet

To be on the safe side, coaches have recently preferred to recruit foreign players who have previously competed in the V-League. However, in these transfers, both secretly and openly, many teams have had frustrating experiences with their foreign signings.

Wander Luiz has just set a new record for his rapid turnover between Vietnamese football pitches. He has played for three V.League clubs in less than four months. Joining Long An at the end of last season in an unsuccessful "relegation rescue" mission, his last match under coach Minh Phương was on November 25, 2017.

When the rebellious Claudecir threw a tantrum and demanded to leave, he was welcomed back by coach Hoang Van Phuc. He played in the National Super Cup match against SLNA and the first two matches, but the 26-year-old striker only showed aggression and enthusiasm. After four appearances for the reigning V.League champions, Wander Luiz had yet to score a goal, and when Claudecir "asked to start over," the Brazilian player had to leave.

Ironically, just after his contract with Quang Nam was terminated, Claudecir was brought in by XSKT Can Tho at the very last minute before the foreign player registration deadline. After Nsi received a disciplinary penalty from the VFF for signing contracts with two clubs simultaneously, XSKT Can Tho recruited former Than Quang Ninh striker Dyachenko as a backup option.

However, the Russian player had a rather lackluster performance, especially his missed opportunities, which partly contributed to Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's team only earning one point after two matches.

The powerful and fast-paced playing style of the 1992-born player was considered by coach Hong Vinh to be the perfect replacement for Dyachenko, who was burdened by age. Immediately given the number 68 jersey and brought on in the third round, Wander Luiz contributed to the home team's 2-1 victory against B.Binh Duong in the XSKT.Can Tho vs. B.Binh Duong match.

Thus, after several months of constantly changing teams, he, along with Congolese player Patiyo Tambwe, will be the two foreign players for XSKT Can Tho in the 2018 season.

Remembering the ex

After leaving SLNA with 6 goals, Henry joined Nam Dinh. Photo: AT

After terminating Henry's contract, SLNA was unsuccessful with Danko, and Osamar was recovering from injury, so the Nghe An team had no choice but to settle for a foreign player.

Invited back to Thien Truong Stadium by coach Nguyen Van Sy, "former player" Henry Shackiel played quite well alongside foreign player Benjamin. The duo scored two goals in the fourth match against HAGL at Pleiku Stadium, although they ultimately lost 2-3.

If Osamar suffers a long-term injury and Henry succeeds in Nam Dinh's fight to avoid relegation, then this will be a successful gamble for coach Van Sy and a failure for SLNA.