On-form midfielder set to miss Saudi Arabia game

By Hoang Nguyen August 23, 2021 | 12:52 am PT

Nguyen Minh Vuong during a training session with the national football team in Hanoi, August 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Doan

Tran Minh Vuong, injured during training, will be absent in the upcoming final World Cup qualifying round clash between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

In a training match with the U22 team on Aug. 19, Vuong scored a goal then later injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). According to the doctor, Vuong's injury doesn't need surgery but he won't be able to play in the next few weeks.

Head coach Park Hang-seo will only select 25 out of 31 players for the Saudi Arabia game on Sept. 2. Both Vuong and key defender Doan Van Hau are out due to injuries.

This is unfortunate news for Vuong and the national team, considering his form this season. Vuong's performances in both V. League and the second World Cup qualifying round are highly rated. He scored one goal and assisted another in Vietnam's 2-3 loss to the UAE.

With V. League 2021 recently canceled, Vuong also won't be able to play club football at least until the end of this year.

After the game with Saudi Arabia, Vietnam will meet Australia in My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Sept. 5.