Former U19 Vietnam midfielder Phan Dinh Thang: From player to angler

Phan Dinh Thang (number 10) in the U19 Vietnam team. Photo: FBNV

Growing up from the T&T - VSH training center and then the Viettel Youth Football Training Center, Phan Dinh Thang was once considered one of the promising young talents of Vietnamese football. Being called up by coach Mai Duc Chung to the U19 Vietnam team to participate in the U19 AFF Cup 2012 (held at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City) and the U19 Asian Cup 2012 (held in the UAE) is a typical example.

However, not only could he not become a big star of the country's football, but Phan Dinh Thang's career also had to go through a difficult journey. Before retiring, Phan Dinh Thang had drifted through a series of football teams from V. League to Second Division, including: Hoa Phat Hanoi, Hanoi Football Club (of Mr. Kien), Binh Dinh, Viettel, Quang Nam and Song Lam Nghe An.

Phan Dinh Thang in Quang Nam shirt. Photo: Quang Nam Club

Perhaps, the best years of Phan Dinh Thang's football career were his time playing for Quang Nam (2015 - 2020). With 6 seasons playing for the Quang Nam team, Phan Dinh Thang scored 7 goals in 120 appearances. Phan Dinh Thang's most impressive achievements in Quang Nam's shirt were the 2017 V. League championship and the 2017 Vietnam National Super Cup championship.

In fact, at Tam Ky Stadium, Phan Dinh Thang was rarely properly used by the coaches. The reason was none other than that in the right winger position, Phan Dinh Thang could not compete with captain Dinh Thanh Trung for the starting position. Obviously, in terms of expertise, experience in the field and contribution, Dinh Thanh Trung deserves to be the number 1 star, the "hero" of the Quang Nam team.

At the end of the 2020 season, after being relegated, Quang Nam carried out a fairly strong cleanup of their squad. A series of players had to pack their bags and leave Tam Ky Stadium, including Phan Dinh Thang. The former Quang Nam midfielder's next destination was Hai Phong. But in the end, Phan Dinh Thang and the Board of Directors of the Lach Tray Stadium team "could not find a common voice".

It seemed like he would have to "sit around and do nothing" in the first phase of the 2021 season, but Phan Dinh Thang was welcomed by Song Lam Nghe An. In the first matches of V.League 2021, Phan Dinh Thang was often used by coach Ngo Quang Truong. However, Phan Dinh Thang did not show much, both in his familiar right winger position and in the central midfield position.

Entering this season, Phan Dinh Thang’s contract with Song Lam Nghe An was not renewed. Instead of looking for opportunities at other teams, especially lower-ranked teams, Phan Dinh Thang decided to retire from playing. This was a very surprising thing, because Phan Dinh Thang was about to turn 29 (born in October 1993), the peak age for professional players.

Currently, the former U19 Vietnam midfielder is working in the fishing equipment business (fishing rods, baits, etc.). Occasionally, Nghe An football fans see Phan Dinh Thang appearing at places like lakes, dams, etc. in the role of a fisherman. We wish Phan Dinh Thang much success with his new passion./.