With Ly Duc having moved to a new club, will HAGL's defense be shaky? No!

Central defender Pham Ly Duc has parted ways with HAGL FC. However, the team's defense in the V-League 2025-2026 season remains strong. HAGL still has players ready to replace the U.23 Vietnam national team's central defender.

Unexpected decision

Pham Ly Duc has officially joined Hanoi Police FC (CAHN). Last season, he was a key central defender for HAGL FC. However, Ly Duc's departure may not significantly affect the quality of the team's defense. HAGL has already prepared a replacement plan.

Defender Pham Ly Duc leaves HAGL Club.

Photo: Minh Tran

During the 2024-2025 season, center-back Pham Ly Duc also suffered an injury, missing several weeks of play. During that time, HAGL unexpectedly discovered center-back Dinh Quang Kiet.

This 18-year-old player has had a good performance in the V-League, replacing Ly Duc in HAGL's defense. Furthermore, thanks to the matches where he replaced Pham Ly Duc, Dinh Quang Kiet was even called up to the preliminary squad of the Vietnam U.23 team, preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship.

The drawback of Dinh Quang Kiet is his limited experience, due to his young age. However, experience is something Dinh Quang Kiet will certainly accumulate over time. Next season, it is highly likely that he will perform better than last season. Therefore, HAGL has reason to expect a better version of center-back Dinh Quang Kiet in the V-League 2025-2026.

HAGL has alternative personnel options available.

A major advantage for Dinh Quang Kiet is his excellent physique; he is 1.95 meters tall. With this center-back in the lineup, HAGL will have significantly more strength in aerial duels and one-on-one challenges.

Center-back Dinh Quang Kiet (the tallest) is ready to step in.

Photo: HAGL FC

Another young center-back from HAGL with a very good physique is Nguyen Van Trieu (22 years old, 1.88 m tall). Last season, Nguyen Van Trieu was the third-choice center-back among the team's domestic players, after Pham Ly Duc and Dinh Quang Kiet. Now that Ly Duc has left HAGL, Nguyen Van Trieu is only behind Dinh Quang Kiet, meaning Nguyen Van Trieu will have more opportunities to play regularly.

With two central defenders, Dinh Quang Kiet and Nguyen Van Trieu, HAGL currently doesn't have to worry about a shortage of replacements for Pham Ly Duc. This is probably why Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh isn't too concerned about parting ways with the U.23 Vietnam national team's central defender. The team from the mountainous region still has a lot of youthful energy in their defense, so they don't have to worry about a shortage of personnel in this area.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ly-duc-da-ve-ben-moi-hang-thu-hagl-lieu-co-chong-chenh-khong-185250717134803688.htm