Foreign player awaiting citizenship cheers for Vietnam's victory

Foreign player Hendrio Araujo, who is in the process of acquiring Vietnamese citizenship, surprisingly expressed his encouragement on social networks following Vietnam’s 3-1 triumph against Nepal on the night of October 9th.

On the evening of October 9th, the Vietnam national team delivered an impressive performance by defeating Nepal 3-1 in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The match was dominated by the red-shirted squad, especially after Nepal received a red card at the end of the first half. In the second half, coach Kim Sang Sik’s team fully controlled the game and secured a convincing victory, raising their total points to 6 and continuing to closely follow Malaysia in the standings.

Besides the enthusiastic support from the fans in the stands, the Vietnam team also received unexpected encouragement from midfielder Hendrio Araujo, a Brazilian player currently playing for Hanoi FC. On his personal page, Hendrio shared an image watching the match live along with a brief but heartfelt message: “Vietnam wins” accompanied by the red flag with a yellow star. This gesture immediately attracted attention since Hendrio is currently a player awaiting Vietnamese citizenship.

According to information, if all procedures are completed, Hendrio will take the Vietnamese name Đỗ Hoàng Hên. This opens up the opportunity for him to represent the national team in the near future. If he plays for Vietnam, Hendrio along with Xuân Son could form a strong partnership in the national squad.

Hendrio’s brief but meaningful message is seen as a great morale boost for coach Kim Sang Sik’s team. It also shows that Vietnamese football is gradually attracting attention not only from local fans but also from foreign players who have become attached and wish to be part of its overall development.

The win against Nepal not only earned Vietnam the crucial 3 points but also strengthened the fans’ confidence in the upcoming journey. Meanwhile, Hendrio’s support is considered a special sign, indicating that if naturalized, he could become a promising asset for the national team.