Hung Dung absent for 3 matches and worries of many national players

Remember, Hanoi FC is in an extremely difficult period in the new season, with a habit of starting slowly and even worse when struggling in the middle of the rankings after almost the end of the first leg of V-League this season.

And the difficult question about Hung Dung was immediately answered by Japanese coach Daiki, that "he does not care about the name or the "label" of captain of the Vietnam National Team. When he is ready, he will return". Remember, coach Daiki's opening match against Dong A Thanh Hoa in round 9 away, Hung Dung played the full 90 minutes but the capital team lost 0-2. It should also be remembered that, up to now, Hung Dung has not contributed a single goal or assist for his teammates. Therefore, it cannot be said otherwise that Hung Dung is losing his inherent form and for a foreign coach, his losing his starting position is considered a very normal thing!

Going back in time, when he took charge of the Hanoi Police, Korean coach Gong Oh-kyun also “said no” to the names Tan Tai, Van Thanh… when he relied on the reality on the training ground rather than any previous reputation. But the Korean coach seemed to be wrong, so things did not really go smoothly, leading to the early termination of the contract. Meanwhile, up to now, Tan Tai, Van Thanh, Quang Hai… are proving their value as pillars from the time of coach Park Hang-seo and affirming that they are still capable of contributing to the national team.

Unlike Mr. Gong Oh-kyun, Mr. Daiki did not have a really good start with Hanoi FC, but there was absolutely no way he would be “fired”. Hanoi FC played a great match against Nam Dinh Steel Blue in round 11, then won against Khanh Hoa away in round 12 without Hung Dung to prove that the team was on the right track.

Mr. Daiki's information about Hung Dung, it seems not much different from when Mr. Troussier talked about not using Hoang Duc in the Vietnam National Team recently and the French coach needs "more effort to return" of the midfielder of Viettel's The Cong. The midfielder duo is considered the most successful under Park Hang-seo, strangely both are being underestimated, being challenged to the extreme, is a very thoughtful reality not only for these two players?

Moreover, Hung Dung's story is also adding to the worries about a series of national players who are injured like Ngoc Hai, Van Lam, or have lost their form like Hoang Duc, Tien Linh recently. Maybe the unhealed injury has caused Hung Dung to have difficulties, in the context of coach Daiki making improvements in playing style that Hung Dung himself has not been able to adapt to? Remember that Hung Dung was an extremely good player in the first time he was on the field at the 2023 ASIAN Cup, the match against Japan, but then was abandoned afterwards. Then, before the 2 upcoming matches in the 2nd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup against Indonesia, many people are looking forward to the return of Hung Dung and Ngoc Hai or Van Hau. However...

It is known that V-League will play until round 13 and then take a break, making room for the Vietnam National Team and U23 Vietnam. Will the remaining round be enough for Hung Dung or Hoang Duc to fully demonstrate their inherent abilities and form? It is very difficult, if not impossible. Of course, the views and ways of doing things of Mr. Daiki and Mr. Troussier have similarities, but there are also differences, so can anything still happen?

With the clear reality of the current form as well as the current process of rejuvenating the force, it is impossible to expect Hung Dung to shoulder the responsibility as in the past, but clearly, the Vietnam National Team still needs him to be present with his inherent experience and enthusiasm to lead and support the young factors. Hung Dung may not play the full 90 minutes like before, but he is capable enough to replace the overloaded, overwhelmed or predictable positions, for example. Hopefully, this person with the outstanding quality of perseverance, "the older the ginger, the spicier" will continue to be trusted and assigned reasonable tasks.

Hung Dung's lesson is therefore valuable for any player. That if they do not maintain good form and attitude, they can be "kicked out" at any time. V-League is witnessing a season where both domestic and foreign coaches are extremely strict with their students, regardless of who they are. From Xuan Tien to Dinh Bac and now Hung Dung, young or old, potential or meritorious, they cannot "step on the circle of rules" set before the collective, before the high requirements of the team./.