Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang: 'Ageless warrior' of V.League

At the age of 36, when most of his teammates of the same generation have chosen to stop, midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang still plays every weekend, still running tirelessly.

From a pillar of the national team to a professional icon in the V.League, his current journey at Hong Linh Ha Tinh is not just a story of age, but a testament to perseverance, a steely spirit and a passionate love for the round ball.

At the end of 2023, Trong Hoang decided to leave Song Lam Nghe An, the place that had been with him through many stages of his career. It was not a sad farewell, but a necessary turning point after many changes, both in terms of health and future orientation.

Instead of choosing a strong team to "retire", Trong Hoang decided to return to play for the Hong Linh Ha Tinh team. In the role of leader, Hoang "cow" did not bring the old glory, but brought a professional attitude, a strong spirit and a desire to contribute again, as if there had never been a day he had to rest due to a spinal injury.

Trong Hoang's presence in Ha Tinh immediately created a positive effect. In the tense relegation play-off match at the end of the 2023 season against PVF-CAND, when the team was behind, he was the one who equalized, sparking a thrilling 3-2 comeback. That goal not only helped Hong Linh Ha Tinh stay in the V.League, but also marked a new chapter in Trong Hoang's career.

Continuing that momentum, entering the 2024/2025 season, the team played very well. Trong Hoang played the role of captain, not only in name, but also as the "soul" of the team. He contributed greatly to the 7-match unbeaten streak at the beginning of the season, including two important victories and a series of valuable draws, helping Hong Linh Ha Tinh rise to the top of the rankings, something that had never happened in the history of the team.

In a recent match against Binh Dinh Club, the stats showed that Trong Hoang had traveled nearly 10 km in 90 minutes, an astonishing number for a 36-year-old player. But for those who understand Hoang “crawling”, that is no longer a strange thing.

By the end of round 18 of V.League 2024/25, Nguyen Trong Hoang had played 14 matches, playing a total of 1,117 minutes for Hong Linh Ha Tinh club this season.

He had taken nearly a year off to treat a herniated disc - an injury that seemed to have ended his career. But after a series of quiet days of treatment, training and recovery, he returned. Not with cheers, but with the silence of a professional player, just going out on the field and fighting, as if nothing could stop him.