Hùng Dũng received the first red card of his career

Đỗ Hùng Dũng went through a remarkable game when he was shown a red card for the first time in his career, even though he scored and contributed to Hà Nội FC’s 3-1 win against SLNA.

Midfielder Đỗ Hùng Dũng had one of the most memorable matches in his career when he was sent off for the first time since turning professional. Ironically, this moment came during a game where he stood out, scoring and playing a key role in Hà Nội FC’s 3-1 win over SLNA in the 12th round of the 2025/2026 V-League season. An evening full of highs but also regrets for the capital city team’s captain.

At Vinh stadium, Hà Nội FC showed clear determination to claim all three points from the very beginning. Their proactive play allowed the visitors to control the match early and constantly apply pressure. In the 8th minute, Nguyễn Hai Long capitalized on an opportunity inside the box to open the scoring, giving Hà Nội FC an early advantage. This goal helped the purple-shirted team play more freely, while SLNA was forced to push forward.

In the middle of the first half, Hùng Dũng made a timely impact. In the 25th minute, following a quick combination, the 1993-born midfielder smartly surged forward and finished neatly to increase the lead to 2-0. This was typical Hùng Dũng: energetic, efficient, and always present in crucial areas. The first half ended with a significant advantage for Hà Nội FC, and everything seemed perfect for the team captain.

However, a sudden turning point occurred in the 41st minute. During a contest on the left flank, Hùng Dũng jumped to challenge and accidentally struck SLNA player Lê Nguyên Hoàng’s thigh with his studs. The referee initially showed a yellow card but, after consulting VAR, upgraded it to a direct red card. This moment stunned the entire Vinh stadium since Hùng Dũng is known for fair play and rarely receives harsh punishments.

This red card marked the first time in Hùng Dũng’s career that he was sent off after more than 270 club appearances and 66 caps for national teams. Previously, the 1993-born midfielder had only received 8 yellow cards – a very low number considering his long top-level career spanning over a decade. This made the red card even more notable, despite arising from a situation without clear violent intent.

Playing with one less player for most of the second half, Hà Nội FC still demonstrated the resilience of a top team. Daniel Passira scored to extend the lead to 3-0 in the 62nd minute, before SLNA scored a late consolation goal. The 3-1 victory pushed Hà Nội FC up the standings, but the joy was tempered by Hùng Dũng’s confirmed two-match suspension, causing him to miss the game against Hải Phòng. The first red card in his career closed an emotional match for the veteran midfielder and posed a significant personnel challenge for Hà Nội FC moving forward.