Dinh Trong suffers ligament tear, will miss SEA Games.

The results of an X-ray of Tran Dinh Trong's left knee today, June 5th, show that he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Hanoi FC defender will have to undergo surgery and will need at least six months for recovery. This means he will not be able to join the Vietnam U22 team at the SEA Games 30 in the Philippines at the end of the year.

Dinh Trong sustained an injury while attempting to turn and intercept Chevy Walsh during the 0-0 draw between HAGL and Hanoi on May 31st. The Vietnamese national team's central defender slammed his hand to the ground in pain and burst into tears as he was stretchered off the field at the end of the first half. Dinh Trong had to wait until today, when the fluid in his knee had subsided, to have X-rays taken to assess the severity of the injury.

The tear of Dinh Trong's anterior cruciate ligament is a major loss for Vietnamese football. He was considered a key player in the defense by coach Park Hang-seo during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2019 SEA Games. Previously, the South Korean coach had agreed not to call up Dinh Trong for the 2019 Asian Cup to allow him time for minor surgery, in preparation for those two campaigns.

Dinh Trong was brought back into the team by coach Park Hang-seo in the 2020 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers last March. He started in the match against U23 Thailand and closely marked Supachai, causing him to become enraged and commit a foul, resulting in his sending off, contributing to Vietnam's resounding 4-0 victory. After the match, Dinh Trong stated that he was not yet fully recovered and was only playing at about 70% of his capacity.

Hanoi FC has stated that it will provide support to ensure Dinh Trong receives the best possible treatment. It is highly likely that the defender will undergo surgery in South Korea.