Former Vietnamese Player: From Youth Tragedy to the Peak Glory.

Once the nine Ninh Binh players permanently banned match the 2014 AFC Cup negative incidents, Hung lost everything: career, honor, family trust. nearly rejected football decade, this defender returned win the Cup with Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Once the shocking Vietnamese football the 2014 AFC Cup scandal, defender Hung probably never imagined he would lift professional football trophy. However, fate gave beautiful ending more decade turmoil.

In the victory joy Ho Chi Minh City Police the 2025/26 Cup final , Hung was among the most emotional. The tears the 1992-born defender came not just the championship, but also relief after long period living guilt regret.

Looking back at the past, in 2014, Hung many Vissai Ninh Binh players were involved the match-fixing scandal that shook Vietnamese football. The permanent ban from the Vietnam Football Federation the Asian Football Confederation nearly ended his career. From a highly-rated young talent Vietnamese football, Hung became a "villain" the eyes fans.

What gnawed at him most was not the criticism, but the feeling guilt toward his deceased father. His father always dreamed seeing his son play the highest level, even donning the national team jersey, but before that dream could materialize, Hung paid the price for mistakes his youth.

The turning point finally came 2023 when the permanent ban was lifted. After nearly 9 years away from professional football, few believed this defender could make a comeback. However, through perseverance determination, he convinced the coaches, successively playing for Becamex Binh Duong, SHB Da Nang, and then Ho Chi Minh City Police.

That comeback journey became even more special when Ho Chi Minh City Police won the National Cup right at Ninh Binh Arena, the place linked to both the fondest most painful memories Hung's career.

Speaking after the championship, the 34-year-old defender couldn't hide his emotions mentioning his late father. He believes somewhere, his father smiled seeing his son rise again after life's setbacks.

After the historic championship, Hung's contract with Ho Chi Minh City Police expired. However, the "city team named Uncle Ho" is expected to renew with this defender. For Hung, that could be a deserved reward for a redemption journey spanning 12 years.

From a "villain" Vietnamese football to a National Cup champion, Hung's story proves that after mistakes, second chances always exist for those who never give up.