Head coach Park Hang-seo (C) announces the final 25-member Vietnam squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Indonesia. (Photo: Vietnam Football Federation)

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) midfielder suffered ligament damage in his right knee, which requires surgery and will take him at least 5-6 months to recover.

To Van Vu (Becamex Binh Duong) and Mac Hong Quan (Quang Nam) were also dropped by the Republic of Korea tactician, alongside Tran Nguyen Manh (Song Lam Nghe An – SLNA), A Hoang (HAGL), Nguyen Cong Thanh (Ho Chi Minh City), Vo Huy Toan (SHB Da Nang), Dang Anh Tuan (SHB Da Nang) and Ha Minh Tuan (SHB Da Nang).

Many of the aforementioned players were dropped due to injuries.

Park Hang-seo decided to call up two forwards of Vietnam U22s, namely Nguyen Trong Hung and Nguyen Tien Linh, to strengthen the attacking power for the national team. Young player Nguyen Viet Phong (Viettel FC) was also given the opportunity to join Vietnam’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Yesterday (Oct. 3), goalkeeper Dang Van Lam returned from Thailand and joined his Vietnamese teammates. Meanwhile, not until tomorrow (Oct. 5) the group of Hanoi FC players, who recently concluded the AFC Cup inter-zone play-off final with DPR Korea side 4.25 SC, can reunite with the national squad due to an inconvenient travelling schedule from DPR Korea to Vietnam.

Nguyen Cong Phuong and Doan Van Hau, who are playing for European clubs, will gather with the national team on Oct. 7.

Vietnam have been drawn against Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates in Group G in the second round of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Vietnam’s 25-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Indonesia:

Goalkeepers (3): Dang Van Lam (Muangthong United), Nguyen Tuan Manh (Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN), Pham Van Cuong (Quang Nam)

Defenders (8): Tran Van Kien (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Thanh Chung (Hanoi FC), Do Duy Manh (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Huu Tuan (Ho Chi Minh City), Doan Van Hau (Heerenveen SC), Pham Xuan Manh (SLNA), Que Ngoc Hai (Viettel), Bui Tien Dung (Viettel)

Midfielders (8): Nguyen Tuan Anh (HAGL), Vu Van Thanh (HAGL), Nguyen Phong Hong Duy (HAGL), Pham Duc Huy (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC), Do Hung Dung (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Huy Hung (Quang Nam), Nguyen Trong Hoang (Viettel)

Forwards (6): Nguyen Van Toan (HAGL), Nguyen Cong Phuong (Sint Truidense), Nguyen Anh Duc (Becamex Binh Duong), Nguyen Viet Phong (Viettel), Nguyen Trong Hung (Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Tien Linh (Becamex Binh Duong)

Nhan Dan/VietNamNet