'Western Hunter' Returns to Vietnam National Team After Nearly 4 Years

Following nearly 4 years away from the squad, defender Trần Đình Trọng is officially included in Vietnam's preliminary roster, gearing up for the FIFA Days fixtures in March.

After nearly 4 years of absence, center-back Trần Đình Trọng has officially been called up again Vietnam National Team for the March 2026 training camp. This is seen as a deserved reward for the persistent efforts of the 1997-born player after a long period struggling with injuries and form.

The last time Đình Trọng wore the national team jersey was in September 2022, in a 4-0 win over Singapore under coach Park Hang Seo. Since then, the defender once considered a pillar of Vietnam's defense has experienced many career ups and downs, from injury treatment to changing club environments.

For this training camp, coach Kim Sang Sik decided to give Đình Trọng an opportunity by calling him back to the national team to prepare for two international matches against Bangladesh on March 26 and Malaysia on March 31 during FIFA Days.

Besides Đình Trọng, Đoàn Văn Hậu has also been recalled to the national team after a long absence due to injury. Both are among the group of 8 CAHN players participating in this training camp, alongside familiar names like Nguyễn Filip, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, Lê Văn Đô, Lê Phạm Thành Long, and Nguyễn Quang Hải.

The decision to call up Đình Trọng is believed to stem from his impressive performance in the 2025-2026 season. The 27-year-old center-back has played 14 matches in V-League alone and contributed two assists, helping CAHN lead the standings after the first half of the season. His stable performance shows he has regained his physical condition and confidence after years affected by injuries.

Đình Trọng's return is expected to add solidity to Vietnam's defense thanks to his extensive international experience. During his peak under coach Park Hang Seo, he was a key element in the defensive system that helped Vietnam achieve many notable regional and continental successes.

In this comeback, the 1997-born defender will have to compete for his position with several players currently in good form. However, with his experience and recent stability, Đình Trọng is expected to bring additional depth and reliability to the defense of the "Golden Star Warriors" in upcoming international matches.