Tears of regret

(Baonghean) - In the 79th minute of the match between SLNA and HV.An Giang, during a one-on-one challenge with Dinh Dong, HV.An Giang player Nguyen Anh Hung suffered a very serious injury. According to doctors, Hung will have to be out of action for at least 6-8 months and will officially miss the 2014 season. Playing in the V.League for the first time was a huge shock for this player from Nghe An.

Nguyen Anh Hung was born and raised in Nghia Hong commune, Nghia Dan district (Nghe An province). After 5 years at the Song Lam football academy, Hung was introduced to An Giang FC for a trial. At the end of the 2012 season, after winning the national championship with the U21 SLNA team, Hung packed his bags and joined a team in the Mekong Delta region to seek opportunities. With his good physical condition and systematic playing style, Hung caught the eye of coach Nhan Thien Nhan and officially signed a contract with the team.

Nguyen Anh Hung (rear) is one of the pillars of An Giang Academy. Photo: Internet

In 2013, as a key player, Hung contributed significantly to An Giang FC's promotion to the V.League. Preparing for the 2014 season, the team from the Mekong Delta strengthened its squad considerably, but Anh Hung remained a cornerstone. Before the trip back to Nghe An, Anh Hung was very excited. After two years of pursuing his career far from home, Hung finally had the opportunity to return to Vinh Stadium and showcase his skills. However, during the match against his hometown team, Hung suffered a terrible injury.

Even now, recalling the moment Dinh Dong kicked him in the shin, Hung still shudders. “I’ve never felt such pain before; I thought I was going to die from the unbearable agony…,” Hung said, his eyes welling up with tears. As the player involved, Hung felt the pain better than anyone else, but even the spectators in the stadium were horrified. It was a one-on-one challenge, and Dinh Dong, driven by his eagerness to win the game, kicked his teammate in the shin with the sole of his shoe. After the collision, Hung was immediately taken to Hospital 115 in Nghe An. Hung’s relatives, who had come from Nghia Dan to watch the match, panicked and left midway to chase after the ambulance.

After the X-ray, Anh Hung was diagnosed with a fractured tibia and required immediate surgery that night. Worried about their student and teammates, that evening (February 26th), the coaching staff and almost all the players of HV.An Giang were at the hospital to support Anh Hung. The surgery was successful, and Hung did not suffer permanent disability, but when the doctor told him he would have to rest for 6-8 months, he burst into tears. For a player making his V.League debut, his aspirations were immense, and having to miss the entire season was the most disappointing thing. Sharing his feelings with the writer, Anh Hung said: “All my motivation and aspirations have vanished. Losing an entire season in an instant is something nobody expected, and I feel incredibly sad.”

Fortunately, his family lives in Nghe An, so as soon as Hung was hospitalized, his relatives were there to take care of him. Yesterday morning, the entire coaching staff and players of An Giang FC came to say goodbye to Hung before heading to Long Xuyen to prepare for the next match. Seeing his teammates excited about their new mission, Hung could only feel emotional.

It is known that due to serious injuries, Anh Hung will need to stay in the hospital for at least another week for treatment. It is expected that after his condition improves, Hung will return to his hometown in Nghia Hong commune to continue his rehabilitation exercises. At only 21 years old, with a bright future ahead, Anh Hung is trying to put his sadness aside and look to the future with more optimism.

Vinh Liem