Đoàn Văn Hậu during his time in South Korea. The Hà Nội FC defender is expected to return in March 2022 after undergoing successful knee surgery. — Photo courtesy of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam national player Đoàn Văn Hậu has expressed his determination to quickly return to action after successfully undergoing a knee operation in South Korea.

In September, Hậu had a recurrence of a knee injury that ruled him out of the remaining World Cup qualifiers.

This injury is a relapse as the 22-year-old left-back was injured playing for his club in September 2020 and had to undergo surgery before.

“My surgery was successful and I will now focus on the recovery. This is really a difficult time for me, but I believe I will come back stronger and better,” Hậu wrote on his personal social media account.

“I would like to thank the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) and Hà Nội FC for unconditional support so that I can get the best treatment and recovery.

“Thank you everyone for sending me encouraging messages. Everyone's support is a great motivation for me and I will do my best on the recovering and soonest to be side by side with my teammates.

“Hope to see you soon on the field. I will be back."

In June 2021, Hậu was called up to the national team to play the last three matches of the second round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Before the matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia in the third qualifying round, coach Park Hang-seo still added Hậu to the team but had to return him to his club following his injury.

After the surgery, Hậu will spend three months on the first stage of the recovery process. It is expected the Hà Nội FC defender will return in March 2022.

The national team continues to receive good news from goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm as the 28-year-old player’s injury recovery process is showing very positive signs and happening faster than expected.

After undergoing successful shoulder surgery, Lâm returned to Russia and started recovering with his personal coach Ashrapov Jam.

Yesterday, Lâm's teammate Nguyễn Văn Toản was told by doctors that he must undergo shoulder injury treatment for the next two to three weeks.

VFF has held a consultation about Toản’s injury to find the most optimal treatment plan.

According to doctors, surgery is only the last option for the 21-year-old goalkeeper. — VNS