Ha Tinh 2-1 Hanoi: Trong Hoang suffers ear injury after collision.
Midway through the second half on a slippery pitch, Do Hoang Hen accidentally scraped his studded boot against Trong Hoang's left ear, causing a laceration that ripped nearly two-thirds of his earlobe. He bandaged it temporarily, continued playing, then went to the hospital to have two stitches; his condition is stable.
Hong Linh Ha Tinh defeated Hanoi 2-1 in Round 9 of the V-League 2025-2026, but the haunting highlight of that football night was the moment Trong Hoang stood up, requested temporary bandaging, and continued playing after his left ear was deeply lacerated by an accidental collision.
The crucial moment in the middle of the second half.
Midway through the second half, as Trong Hoang tried to shield the ball on a slippery, wet pitch, he fell down. Do Hoang Hen – the newly naturalized midfielder of Hanoi FC – rushed forward, lost his balance, and couldn't pull his leg back in time. His studded boot scraped hard against his left ear, causing two deep gashes across nearly two-thirds of his earlobe.
Blood flowed so profusely that his jersey was soaked. Despite this, Trong Hoang got up, bandaged the wound temporarily, and continued playing. At the time, few suspected the injury was so serious that he had to have his ear stitched up, almost completely severed.
A story from the coaching bench.
Ha Tinh's coach Nguyen Cong Manh said: "His shirt was soaked with blood. We immediately took Hoang to the hospital after the match ended. The doctors had to stitch two incisions to fix the part of his ear that was almost severed."
Late on October 31st, Trong Hoang was still in the hospital for further monitoring. Doctors said his health had stabilized, but he needed time to carefully care for his injury. The date for his return to training is still undetermined.
The spirit of fair play and the moment of shaking hands.
Immediately after the match, Do Hoang Hen proactively visited and apologized. He explained that it was an unintentional situation due to the slippery pitch conditions, and he couldn't withdraw his foot in time. The image of the two players shaking hands went viral and received much praise for their beautiful sportsmanship.
Impact on the course of the match
When Trong Hoang suffered the injury, the score was 1-1. He stayed on the field, standing alongside his teammates until Ha Tinh sealed the match with a 2-1 victory. After the final whistle, the entire team dedicated the three points to their courageous captain.
Analysis: Competition conditions and symbolic value
The slippery pitch and wet ball were the direct circumstances leading to the collision. The incident highlighted the high risks involved in high-speed challenges and also clearly demonstrated Trong Hoang's leadership role: his determination to play despite serious injury, providing moral support for the team.
Selective statistics
- Result: Hong Linh Ha Tinh 2-1 Hanoi (Round 9 V-League 2025–2026).
- Time of incident: midway through the second half, the pitch was slippery and the ball was wet.
- Injury: Two deep lacerations, nearly two-thirds of the way down the left earlobe; two stitches were applied.
- Hospital: monitored overnight on October 31st; health is stable.
- Standings: Ha Tinh has moved up to 6th place with 12 points after 9 rounds.
- Age: 36.
Long-term significance
For Ha Tinh, the three points not only improved their ranking but also strengthened team spirit, highlighted by the captain's efforts. For Trong Hoang, the recovery process requires patience; the timing of his return will depend on the doctor's assessment of his injury care.
