Indonesian media: 'Vietnamese football star returns after 935 days'

Indonesian media reported on the return of Doan Van Hau, as this defender rejoined the Vietnamese national team after a long period of injury treatment.

According to Indonesia's Superball, defender Doan Van Hau has officially been called up again to the Vietnamese national team after a long absence due to injury. This return quickly attracted attention from regional media, especially as the Vietnamese team is preparing for international matches in March.

This information was emphasized by Superball when mentioning the player's arduous recovery process: “Defender Doan Van Hau officially returns to the Vietnamese national team after 935 days of absence due to a serious injury.”

Doan Van Hau has long been a familiar name to Southeast Asian football fans. Indonesian media also recalled a notable incident at the 2019 SEA Games involving player Evan Dimas. In a dispute, Van Hau was accused of stepping on the opponent's foot, causing Evan Dimas to suffer an injury and leave the field.

After a period of peak performance, Van Hau unfortunately suffered a serious injury in September 2023. The Achilles tendon issue forced him to suspend play for a long time for treatment. Superball wrote: “During treatment, Van Hau underwent multiple surgeries along with a physical therapy program. His efforts gradually yielded positive results, allowing him to return to play in December 2025.”

After returning to club play, Van Hau gradually regained his feel for the ball and physical condition. Stable performances helped him convince the Vietnamese national team coaching staff to give him an opportunity in the March 2026 training camp.

From the time of injury to his return to the national team, Van Hau experienced a total of 935 days of absence. This is not a short period for a professional player, especially when facing complex injuries.

Van Hau's return is expected to increase the depth of the squad for the Vietnamese national team, as the team aims for important goals in the coming period. At the same time, this is also a positive signal regarding personnel, as one of the experienced defenders is ready to return to the pitch after a challenging recovery journey.