Hanoi FC keeps injured midfielder from joining national team

Dung will continue recovery at his club Hanoi FC, with regular updates on his condition sent to both Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Park.

On Monday, Park announced he had called Dung up to the national team to support his recovery and not to use him in the next World Cup qualifiers in November. He also promised to only field Dung in the AFF Cup semi-finals in December, if he's well-recovered.

However, Hanoi didn’t think that it's a good idea, with their medical team clearly stating that now is not the right time to disrupt Dung’s recovery process.

Hanoi FC medical expert Kim Kwang Jae said: "I want to keep Dung at the club for at least another month to continue following the current treatment process. His muscles and bones are still weak and he needs to strengthen them. He might feel fine but the truth is he’s not."

Do Hung Dung returns to training after eight months of injury treatment. Photo by Hanoi FC

Dung had his leg broken after a dangerous V. League tackle on March 23. It took him eight months to return to basic training.

"This is the most important time in the recovery process for Hung Dung. He will pay a heavy price if he’s rushed back onto the field. The efforts of the past eight months would become worthless and his future career would be seriously threatened," Hanoi FC wrote.

Kim said Dung needs two more weeks to keep up with the current intensity of training. In addition, the team should consider allowing Dung three to four weeks of training before sending him onto the pitch.

Dung is a key player of the national team, having played all games in Vietnam’s AFF Cup title-winning journey in 2018 and helping the U22 team win SEA Games 30 a year later.