Doan Van Hau weathers the storm of criticism.

After nearly 27 months battling injuries and criticism, Doan Van Hau has made a strong comeback and has once again been called up to the Vietnamese national team.

If he hadn't had the resilience to ignore the criticism during his prolonged injury, Doan Van Hau could have easily become discouraged and ended his career prematurely. But the central defender chose a different path. He persevered, fighting both physical pain and mental pressure, and made a triumphant return, to the point that coach Kim Sang-sik confidently included him in the Vietnamese national team's training camp.

Perseverance has its… positive consequences.

It must be acknowledged that Doan Van Hau is a "treasure" of Vietnamese football. At just 17 years old, the player who came through the Hanoi youth academy was called up to the Vietnamese national team.

Later, Van Hau, along with Quang Hai, Tuan Anh, Cong Phuong, and others, contributed to the revival of Vietnamese football with the achievement of being runners-up in the 2018 U23 Asian Championship after a period of crisis. At the end of that year, Van Hau and his teammates won the 2018 AFF Cup.

Possessing an ideal physique with a height of 1.86 m and a good physical foundation, Van Hau was once considered to have enough potential to try his luck in Europe. Heerenveen became the destination for the defender born in 1999 on his journey abroad.

However, his time in the Netherlands also taught him a clear lesson: looks and potential alone are not enough. A young player from a less developed footballing nation needs more than that to find his place.

After nine months, Van Hau returned to Hanoi in 2020. His form after his overseas stint was somewhat affected. In September 2023, while playing for Hanoi Police FC, the defender suffered an Achilles tendonitis injury, a turning point that led his career into a challenging phase.

Doan Van Hau returns after 27 turbulent months.

Having shown talent from an early age, Van Hau has always been the center of attention. Therefore, his injury recovery journey has also been scrutinized closely. The central defender has traveled to Singapore and South Korea several times for treatment. When physiotherapy did not yield the desired results, he was forced to undergo surgery.

The lengthy period of recovery, lasting for years and featuring him wearing a brace and immobilizing his foot, led many to doubt his abilities. Some even suggested that Van Hau should retire, especially since he was already married. But instead of succumbing to the criticism, the defender quietly trained and persevered in his recovery for a long time.

Impressive comeback

On December 3, 2025, Van Hau officially returned to the pitch when he played in the match between Buriram United and CAHN in the Southeast Asian Club Championship, after almost 27 months of almost complete absence.

On February 1st, 2026, he made his V.League debut in the match between CAHN and Ninh Binh . In that very match, Van Hau left his mark with an assist before leaving the field in the 56th minute due to a minor injury.

Subsequently, the central defender played the full 90 minutes in three consecutive matches. In total, in 2026, Van Hau played 326 minutes across 4 matches for CAHN, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist. His goal against Thanh Hoa was a beautiful long-range shot, showcasing his keen observation skills and excellent ball control.

Notably, Van Hau's position is left-sided center-back, but he still contributes effectively to the attack. In defense, he helps make CAHN's left flank more solid. His presence has been crucial in helping the league leaders win 3 out of 4 matches in which he has played.

Doan Van Hau overcomes injury crisis.

Coach Kim Sang-sik was in the stands during the recent Hanoi derby between CAHN and Hanoi FC. Van Hau was certainly one of the players he closely monitored. Given his performances, it's understandable that the central defender has been called back to the Vietnamese national team.

After a long absence from the pitch, Doan Van Hau's return is not just about his professional career. It's also a testament to his perseverance and determination to overcome adversity. And now, fans have the right to expect a promising new chapter for this talented defender in the national team's colors.

Source: https://znews.vn/doan-van-hau-vuot-bao-dem-pha-post1633996.html