Đỗ Hoàng Hên signals to coach Kim Sang Sik

Midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên made some significant remarks following his first appearance for Hanoi FC on October 18 evening.

Although he couldn’t help Hanoi FC secure a victory, the evening of October 18 was a special day for midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên as he officially took the field as a domestic player. In this match, Hên was in the starting lineup. Having not played for nearly a year, Hên was not yet at his best fitness and form but still contributed to the capital team’s attacking play.

Speaking to the media after the match, the newly naturalized Vietnamese midfielder said: "I feel very happy. It’s been a long time since I last played. I will try to train harder."

When asked about coach Harry Kewell, the new head coach of the capital team, Hoàng Hên shared: "Coach Kewell is very good."

Notably, on the day midfielder born in 1994 made his debut as a naturalized player, the head coach of the Vietnam national team — Mr. Kim Sang Sik — was also present in the stands to watch the match. When asked if this added pressure on him, he replied: "I feel normal. I will focus and do my best in every game, try to play well, and if coach Kim Sang Sik needs me for the national team, I am very ready."

At the post-match press conference, coach Harry Kewell also praised Hoàng Hên: "Hoàng Hên played very well and I cannot fault my players. They played with the right spirit and in the way we aim for."

Hoàng Hên has obtained Vietnamese citizenship but cannot yet play for the national team because he has not lived and worked in Vietnam for the required five years. If he performs well for Hanoi FC, he is likely to be called up by coach Kim Sang Sik for the rematch against Malaysia next March.

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