Injury - a haunting fear not only for Van Duc and Trong Hoang

Previously, the injuries of central defenders Tien Dung and Dinh Trong also forced the Korean coach to reluctantly cross out these important factors. Obviously, this does not seem to be a separate story of a few individuals, but has become a very "toxic" thing to talk about, after these stars have "fought" with all their might for a long time focusing and competing at extremely high intensity and when it comes to receiving the answer from... the body, the health of each person?

Phan Van Duc was forced to say goodbye to the Vietnamese national team before the two matches against Oman and Japan. Photo: VFF

Going back in time, we will also have the same answer after the extremely sublime competition campaign ofU23 Vietnamat Changzhou 2018. After that miraculous performance, U23 Vietnam suffered injuries, even prolonged ones, of Dinh Trong, Van Hau, Van Duc, Xuan Manh, Duy Manh... Of course, not only because of the Changzhou campaign but also many other training sessions and competitions, including domestic competitions, Vietnamese football soon lost the position of attacking full-back Van Hau and it is not known when this star will return? The defense system of the Vietnam National Team as well as Hanoi FC lost the position of central defender Dinh Trong, a person who always enters the game with a clear head, handling every situation wisely and effectively.

After the period of Thuong Chau, in SLNA successivelyVan Duc, Xuan Manh got injured (of course it was the fault of the home team SLNA) and then both players had a hard time regaining their original form. Van Duc, although very much loved by Mr. Park Hang-seo, was absolutely not allowed by public opinion, and then Van Duc had a very difficult time during the 3rd qualifying round of the World Cup. The excellent goal in the match against the Chinese national team could have restored his original position, but remember that at that time Van Duc only came on from the bench and was falling deep into the depths of disappointment.

When V. League 2022 took place, it was not until the match in round 4 that Van Duc really played well with a memorable goal against HAGL. But almost a few minutes later, Van Duc had to leave the field and everyone knows what the story led to now?

Phan Van Duc left the Vietnam national team due to injury.

Xuan Manh was the same, after scoring the opening goal of the season in the match against HAGL, he was sick and only came on the bench in the next match. When called up to the Vietnam national team, Xuan Manh was generally not arranged to play in his best position but as a substitute when needed, so it was very difficult for him to fully develop his form and inherent strengths. This season at SLNA, this midfielder was also assigned to a different position, although he tried very hard but still could not catch the "green eye" of the Korean coach, even after eliminating some injured or low-performing players, Xuan Manh's name was still nowhere to be seen?

Of course, no one blames Mr. Park Hang-seo, because that is a mandatory requirement of top football. But if only Mr. Park Hang-seo did not try to believe, try to call up players who have not recovered from injuries to the national team, wait for them without replacing them and then suffer immeasurable consequences. The case of Trong Hoang is the most convincing proof, not less than Dinh Trong and Van Hau? Perhaps Mr. Park Hang-seo himself also drew obvious lessons, so this training session did not try to keep Tien Dung or Van Duc but let them go home early when everything was still within reach, to replace them with new factors in the long-standing process of rebuilding and renewing?

The "framing" of the team, only relying on a certain number of players seems to have inevitable consequences. Having to constantly plow through difficult matches, opponents above the level require the players to try their best, what medicine calls "exertion" then of course what will come will come. Every success has its "price", the problem is whether the price is expensive or too expensive, cheap or too cheap, acceptable or not?

Xuan Manh in SLNA's recent training session. Photo: Duc Anh

The story also involves the home teams of the national players. Obviously, they are the pillars of the team, need to be used most effectively so that they can contribute as much as possible. Perhaps, the club itself should also "listen" to the physical condition and recovery process of each person and the players themselves should also "listen" to their bodies to implement a suitable and effective training and competition regimen. Here, it is not just a general emotional matter but actually a matter of reason, science, specifically sports medicine.

After each injury and recovery period, no one is sure that everything will return to normal, and many people almost “disappear” afterwards. Hopefully, with each “day of the journey”, Vietnamese football will increasingly learn the necessary “wisdom”, overcome all obsessions to raise, retain and use troops in the most effective and scientific way in any situation./.