Vietnam U22 team loses Van Truong: undergoing surgery, will miss SEA Games 33.

Vietnam U22 suffers a major blow ahead of the 33rd SEA Games: midfielder Nguyen Van Truong will have to undergo surgery for a right knee ligament injury and will miss the tournament, according to the Hanoi FC medical team's conclusion on November 20th. The extent of the injury is much more serious than initially diagnosed.

The injury was determined after an examination on November 20th.

Hanoi FC announced that doctors re-examined Van Truong's condition on November 20th and determined that the ligament injury in his right knee was more serious than initially assessed. Surgery is the only option for definitive treatment, ending the midfielder's hopes of participating in the SEA Games 33.

A memorable moment at the CFA Team Panda Cup 2025.

The injury occurred during the friendly match between Vietnam U22 and South Korea U22 on November 18th at the CFA Team Panda Cup 2025. After a collision, Van Truong was unable to continue playing and left the field for examination. He returned to Vietnam with the rest of the team on November 19th before receiving a final diagnosis from the medical team.

Personnel losses and tactical challenges for Vietnam U22

Losing a key midfielder like Van Truong is a blow to the Vietnam U22 team's personnel plans. At the U22 level, the midfield is usually the link between defense and attack; the absence of this crucial link easily reduces the quality of tempo control and the ability to transition between phases. Given the packed schedule at the tournament, a stable replacement is a critical requirement to maintain tactical balance and stamina.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's role now is to restructure the midfield: redistributing defensive responsibilities, ensuring cohesion off the ball, and maintaining flexibility in escaping pressing. Adjustments should focus on organizational principles—from spacing between players to ball distribution in the final half—rather than on individual brilliance. The goal is to restore intensity and fluidity in attacking plays.

Preparation schedule and next steps

According to the plan, Van Truong's teammates are currently playing with their club in the National Cup before joining the training camp in Vung Tau from November 23rd for the final preparation phase. During this time, coach Kim Sang Sik needs to quickly test replacement personnel and finalize operational plans to compensate for the void left behind.

At the club level, Hanoi FC will work closely with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to plan Van Truong's surgery and treatment. Medical coordination and rehabilitation will be implemented according to the optimal plan to ensure the player's safety.

The absence of Van Truong is a significant loss, but it also serves as a test of the depth of the squad and the tactical adaptability of the Vietnam U22 team as the SEA Games 33 approach.