Time has come for Đỗ Hoàng Hên

In a season where Hanoi FC strives to return to the top 3, Đỗ Hoàng Hên brings an intriguing story of perseverance, versatility, and timely impact.

As V-League 2025/26enters its decisive phase, Hanoi FC's forward stands before an opportunity to make history for himself and Vietnamese football.

Not initially a highly anticipated name, Đỗ Hoàng Hên is gradually becoming central inHanoi FC'sreturn journey.

9 goals and 6 assists in 13 matches sufficiently illustrate the impact of this naturalized player. More importantly, he not only scores but also serves as the "key link" in the Capital team's attacking system.

The special aspect ofHoàng Hênlies in his versatility. Hên can play as a central striker, a winger, or drop deeper as an attacking midfielder. In the context where Hanoi FC hasn't achieved absolute stability, a "multi-functional" player like Hên becomes extremely valuable. This flexibility ensures the 1994-born player is consistently present in many key areas on the field.

The race for this season's top scorer presents a clear opportunity for the 32-year-old striker. Hanoi FC's forward Alan Grafite (leading with 14 goals) is injured with no definite return date.

Joel Tagueu of Hai Phòng leads Hên by only one goal. The gap is very small, and given his current form, closing it or even overtaking is entirely within Hên's capability.

Hoàng Hên achieves this output in significantly fewer matches than his competitors. He is not a "fully serviced" central striker like Alan or Tagueu. Instead, he participates more in the overall play, drops back to support defense, and connects the midfield. Therefore, Hên's 9 goals carry different value. They are products of comprehensive effort, not just scoring instinct.

At 32, Hoàng Hên is at the "peak" stage of his career. Previously, while playing for clubs like Bình Định or Nam Định, Hên often took on a silent role, sacrificing for the team. But at Hanoi FC, under coach Harry Kewell, Hên is granted more space to express himself. And this player has not missed the opportunity.

Support from surrounding teammates also plays a crucial role. Players like Hai Long, Daniel, or Fisher provide Hoàng Hên with additional coordination options, reducing pressure on the attack. If playing in a more optimized system, his goal tally could be even more impressive.

Hanoi FC still retains full opportunity in the championship race. With 33 points, this club trails the top 3 by exactly 4 points with 7 rounds remaining. In the over 20-year history of V-League, no team has demonstrated better endurance than Hanoi FC with 6 championships. That foundation supports belief that this club can accelerate in the final phase, and Hoàng Hên is precisely the "engine" for that hope.

If he wins the top scorer title,Hoàng Hênwill become the second naturalized player in history to achieve this, after Hoàng Vũ Samson. But its significance isn't confined to personal glory. It also acknowledges a resilient player type, not flashy but always capable of shining when needed.