Coach Kim Sang Sik encouraged Van Truong after his surgery.

Midfielder Nguyen Van Truong has successfully undergone surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained at the CFA Team China – Panda Cup 2025 international friendly tournament. Coach Kim Sang Sik sent words of encouragement to the captain of the Vietnam U22 team, and also stated that the coaching staff is assessing the personnel and organizing an internal match on November 29th to find a replacement. Van Truong will enter a long-term treatment and rehabilitation phase in coordination with the Vietnam Football Federation and his club.

Injury moments at the Panda Cup 2025

During the U22 Vietnam vs. U22 South Korea match on November 15th at the Panda Cup 2025, Van Truong suffered an injury after a challenge in the midfield. The collision damaged the right knee of the midfielder born in 2003, forcing him to leave the field. After the team returned home, specialists diagnosed Van Truong with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and determined that surgery was necessary.

Message and decision from Coach Kim Sang Sik

Coach Kim Sang Sik expressed regret at losing a key player who had contributed to the recent successes of the Vietnam U22 team. He offered words of encouragement to Van Truong and said he would send gifts through an interpreter as he was unable to visit him in person. Professionally, the coaching staff is working to find a replacement through evaluation training sessions and an internal match scheduled for November 29th.

Tactical gaps in the midfield.

Van Truong has been identified as a key player in the midfield and a core element in the playing style that the coaching staff is building for the Vietnam U22 team. His long-term absence necessitates a restructuring of roles in the midfield, from ball distribution to tackling and support. The personnel picture will be reviewed during training sessions and internal matches to maintain cohesion between the lines amidst the necessary changes.

Short-term staffing plan

The U22 Vietnam team will use their current training time to evaluate alternative options, especially through an internal match on November 29th. The focus is on finding players who meet the requirements in terms of intensity in tackling, positional discipline, and cohesion within the team, thereby minimizing the adaptation delay when entering subsequent competitive matches.

Recovery and support plan

Van Truong's surgery went smoothly and successfully. At the request of Hanoi FC, he will continue to be monitored and receive rehabilitation at a medical facility of the club's choosing, under the supervision of a team of specialists from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and his club. The VFF will provide financial support for his treatment according to the regulations for national team athletes, allowing the player to focus on his recovery.

Long-term impact on the larger goal

Van Truong's long-term absence from competition (expected to last until the end of the 2025/2026 season) is a significant loss for the Vietnam U22 team's preparation for the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. However, the medical and financial support framework activated by the Vietnam Football Federation and his club provides a foundation for the player's sustainable recovery, while the team adjusts its personnel and tactical plans for the upcoming matches.

Key milestones

• November 15th: Van Truong suffered an injury during the U22 Vietnam vs U22 South Korea match at the Panda Cup 2025.
• Diagnosis: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the right knee, requiring surgery.
• Surgery: Successfully performed; entering the long-term treatment and recovery phase.
• November 29th: Vietnam U22 team holds an internal match to evaluate alternative options.
• Support: The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will provide financial support for treatment and rehabilitation at a facility chosen by Hanoi FC, under professional supervision.