Thai media bluntly stated one thing when Van Hau was called up to the national team.

After nearly three years of absence due to injury and career setbacks, Doan Van Hau has officially returned to the Vietnam national team, carrying high expectations from fans.

The return of the 1999-born defender is not only good news regarding squad strength but also seen as a crucial boost for Vietnam's ambitions in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The fanpage Buriram Prankster v2 recently posted an article discussing the Hanoi Police defender's recall to the national team.

"The nightmare of Southeast Asia has returned! Doan Van Hau, the legendary left-back of the Vietnam national team, officially makes his comeback after nearly three years of absence in the final AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier match against Malaysia. 'The fierce left flank,' anyone following Southeast Asian football knows how formidable this player is. A defender with an extremely aggressive style, powerful tackles, and full of intensity. His return is expected to elevate the Vietnam team, helping them rise to compete with Asia's top teams."— Thai fanpage posted.

In the squad list preparing for the decisive match against Malaysia, the name Doan Van Hau quickly drew attention. It's no coincidence that the Thai Binh-born player is likened to a "nightmare" for Southeast Asian teams. At his peak, Van Hau was one of the most comprehensive left-backs in the region, possessing robust physical foundations, strong tackling ability, and a fearless, confrontational playing style.

Van Hau's most notable feature is his fierce, even somewhat "hard-faced" playing style. He is always ready to press closely, unhesitating in physical contact to stop opponents. This makes many attacking stars in the region wary whenever facing him. Numerous times, Thai, Indonesian, or Malaysian players have struggled against his persistent marking and precise tackles.

However, what experts highly value about Doan Van Hau isn't just his defensive ability. He also contributes effectively to attack with speedy overlapping runs, quality crosses, and even scoring capability. This versatility helped him previously play in Europe, accumulating valuable experience before returning to serve the national team.

Van Hau's prolonged absence previously left a significant gap on the left flank of the Vietnam national team. Although many replacement options have been tried, none has truly provided absolute reassurance. Therefore, this comeback is expected to help the squad become more balanced and solid, especially as Vietnam aims for deeper progress in continental competitions.

The upcoming match against Malaysia won't be decisive, but the Vietnam national team needs to win to assert its strength. Van Hau's return at this moment is seen as a massive "mental doping" boost for the entire team.