Vietnam national team midfielder achieves remarkable milestone

Hai Long recently reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Hanoi FC in all tournaments.

Hanoi FC played their first match under new head coach Harry Kewell, hosting the strong opponent Ninh Binh FC in the 7th round of the V-League. Hanoi FC performed better and dominated most of the game but ultimately suffered a 1-2 defeat.

This match also marked Hai Long's 100th appearance for Hanoi FC. However, the Vietnam national team star did not fully enjoy the occasion, as he hit the crossbar and post once or twice despite playing impressively.

After 7 V-League matches, Hai Long has yet to score for Hanoi despite consistently solid performances. Since moving to Hanoi in 2021 from Than Quang Ninh, Hai Long has evolved from a promising young talent into an indispensable key player for both Hanoi FC and the Vietnam national team.

"HaNoi is always a quality club with many outstanding individuals. We all recognize Hai Long as askilled,in one-on-one situations, no one can get past him. This is a very valuable trait that not everyone in Vietnam possesses," Coach Popov once praised Hai Long as the best one-on-one dribbler in Vietnam.

The year 2025 has witnessed the remarkable development of midfielder Nguyen Hai Long, one of the brightest talents in Vietnamese football today. His standout moment was at the 2024 AFF Cup, where he played a crucial role in Vietnam’s championship run by scoring two important goals. His confidence and composure in high-pressure matches have left a strong impression on fans and experts alike.

His brilliant form has continued. In March, Hai Long scored against Cambodia, then shone again with a goal and an assist in the match against Laos, confirming his role as a midfield cornerstone for the national team. Beyond the national level, at Hanoi FC, Hai Long is increasingly trusted with more starts, becoming a key element in the capital club’s playing style.