No worries about Hoàng Hên, Vietnam's national team already has Hoàng Đức!

Despite Đỗ Hoàng Hên’s absence from the November squad, Vietnam’s national team remains confident thanks to Hoàng Đức’s outstanding performance as the midfield captain excelling in the 2025/2026 V-League.

On November 6, coach Kim Sang Sik announced the 23-player roster for Vietnam’s national team preparing to face Laos in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. While Xuân Son returns after nearly a year recovering from injury, the naturalized midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên (Hendrio), highly anticipated, is not included. However, this absence does not cause much concern as Hoàng Đức continues to maintain an extremely impressive form with Ninh Bình club.

Hoàng Đức is currently the only domestic player among the top scorers in the 2025/26 V-League, alongside several foreign strikers. He not only scores consistently but also inspires the playing style of the historic club. At 27, Hoàng Đức demonstrates comprehensive growth in tactical thinking and game management. His brilliant form is a key pillar helping Ninh Bình remain firmly at the top of the table after 10 rounds.

With Hùng Dũng still absent for a long time, Doãn Ngọc Tân injured, and young players lacking international experience, Hoàng Đức becomes the biggest hope for Vietnam’s midfield. Along with Lê Phạm Thành Long and Quang Hải, he is expected to bring creativity, flexibility, and balance to the playing style that coach Kim Sang Sik is building. Hoàng Đức’s role is not only organizing but also scoring goals when needed.

As for Đỗ Hoàng Hên, he officially acquired Vietnamese citizenship on October 17 and holds high expectations from the coaching staff. However, according to AFC regulations, this Brazil-born player is only eligible to represent Vietnam after January 12, 2026, marking five continuous years living and playing in Vietnam. This date signifies when Hoàng Hên can officially take the field, promising to add more creativity to the team’s midfield.

While waiting for Hoàng Hên, Hoàng Đức continues to prove himself as an irreplaceable pillar. His ball control, tactical vision, and consistency make him the central figure in both club and national team play. When Hoàng Hên becomes eligible to play at the beginning of 2026, will fans witness the dream midfield duo of Hoàng Đức and Hoàng Hên shaking up Vietnamese football’s center?

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