Que Ngoc Hai and Trong Hoang cannot play with Viettel FC.

This is a big loss in the first match of the AFC Champions League for the army team. After the series of matches in the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the national players in the team all showed signs of not being able to recover 100% of their physical strength. Among them, Trong Hoang and Que Hai had times when they could not follow all the team's exercises and practice separately with assistant coach Thach Bao Khanh.

Trong Hoang has not yet recovered his physical strength and has to practice separately with assistant Thach Bao Khanh. Photo: Hai Hoang

“Muscle strain” is a word that Viettel FC fans do not want to hear, especially at this time, but it is happening to Trong Hoang, Que Hai and Bruno Matos. Each team will have a total of 6 matches in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. With a density of about 2.5 days/1 match, it will be an extremely big challenge for coach Jurgen Gede and his students.

Que Ngoc Hai has not yet reached his best physical condition. Photo: Hai Hoang

In particular, on the first day of the match, Viettel FC was missing important pillars. Assistant coach Thach Bao Khanh said: “During the time in Thailand with regulations on isolation and social distancing, the team was not provided with the best recovery conditions. Each player stayed in a room and was not allowed to leave the room except for training and competition. Players did not take a physical bath, did not take a sauna... that is one of the things that makes it very difficult for players to recover. We can only overcome it with what we have, such as eating and sleeping well. To have recovery solutions like the club is doing at the present time is impossible.”

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh is ready for the opening match. Photo: Hai Hoang

However, with the remaining squad, Viettel FC will still affirm its determination to make every effort to make its mark in the first match of the AFC Champions League 2021.