Key Vietnam midfielder fails to fly out with team as Singapore denies entry

Not granted an entry permit by that country, he will keep training in Hanoi until the issue is sorted out, and join the team later.

Do Hung Dung during a training session with the national team on November 28, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

During the preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in November, head coach Park Hang-seo wanted to call up Dung but his club, Hanoi FC, refused, saying he had continued with his recuperation.

On November 2 Hanoi announced he was fully recovered and ready to play, and Park immediately called him up for the AFF Cup.

The Vietnam Football Federation is liaising with Singapore for Dung’s paperwork, but the stringent Covid-19 regulations in Singapore mean a special entry permit could take a while to get.

Park has not replaced him and left with 29 players on Wednesday.

Dung has been a key midfielder for the national team, playing in all the matches when Vietnam won the 2018 AFF Cup and 2019 SEA Games.

On March 23 this year his shinbone was fractured in a horrendous tackle in a V. League match.

In the AFF Cup, Vietnam are in group B with Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, and Cambodia. The tournament will be played from December 5 to January 1.

There will be live reports on all the matches of Vietnam on VnExpress International.