Doãn Ngọc Tân seriously injured after Đoàn Văn Hậu's tackle, coach Popov speaks out

The V.League Round 2 match between Thể Công Viettel and Công an Hà Nội (CAHN) ended with a 1-0 win for the visitors, but the spotlight fell on a dangerous tackle that forced veteran midfielder Doãn Ngọc Tân off the field on a stretcher. In the 70th minute, during a challenge near his own half, CAHN defender Đoàn Văn Hậu lunged in at high speed, planting his studs into Ngọc Tân's shin. The 2026-born player writhed in pain and could not continue. The referee immediately showed a straight red card to Văn Hậu. After the match, according to Viettel's coaching staff, Đoàn Văn Hậu went to the home team's dressing room to apologize to Doãn Ngọc Tân and the entire squad. Văn Hậu insisted he did not intentionally cause the injury, only trying to clear the ball in a tense situation. Nevertheless, the consequence was severe. Viettel head coach Velizar Popov did not hide his disappointment in the post-match press conference. He said: 'I don't care about the loss. What worries me is Doãn Ngọc Tân's condition. He has suffered repeated injuries over the past year, and now he has a serious problem with his shin and knee. We have sent him to hospital for examination, but the initial signs are very bad.' Popov also did not criticize the referee's decision: 'The red card was completely correct. That tackle was very dangerous, unacceptable in modern football.' However, he had high praise for his player: 'Doãn Ngọc Tân deserves to play in the AFC Champions League 2. He is a true leader on the pitch, formerly the captain of Thanh Hóa. Losing him for the upcoming continental match is an irreplaceable loss.' For CAHN, despite being down to ten men, they held their ground and scored a stoppage-time winner through foreign striker Stefan Mauk, securing a 1-0 victory. The win gives CAHN six points from two rounds, temporarily topping the table. However, they will have to face a suspension for Đoàn Văn Hậu – a key defensive pillar. Conversely, Thể Công Viettel not only dropped points at Hàng Đẫy Stadium but also lost their most important midfielder. During the final 20+ minutes when the opposition had only ten players, Viettel failed to capitalize on the numerical advantage to score. This highlights the lack of sharpness in attack without an experienced central midfielder like Doãn Ngọc Tân. According to statistics, Ngọc Tân has endured a year marked by recurring injuries. This time, the studs-to-shin challenge caused severe swelling in his shin and ankle. Team doctors fear it could be a ligament injury or a bone fracture, but official scan results have not been released. In disciplinary terms, under IFAB Laws of the Game, dangerous challenges that threaten an opponent's safety, regardless of intent, carry heavy sanctions. Đoàn Văn Hậu's proactive apology and expression of remorse may be considered mitigating factors when the VFF reviews the suspension. However, the minimum punishment for a straight red card leading to a multi-match ban is almost inevitable. For Thể Công Viettel, the upcoming AFC Champions League 2 match is approaching. Coach Popov will certainly have to reorganize his squad and find a worthy replacement for Doãn Ngọc Tân. This is a difficult problem for a club that traditionally relies on youth development but depends on a few individuals at the continental level. The stoppage-time goal conceded at home also raises questions about the mentality of Viettel players after witnessing a teammate suffer a serious injury. Was it a lack of focus in the final minutes, or simply a blunt attack? The answer may be revealed in coming matches. For CAHN, coach Polking may be satisfied with three points but will have to solve the absentee problem with Đoàn Văn Hậu missing. However, with squad depth and financial stability, the Public Security team remains a top contender for this season's V.League title. Against this backdrop, the public is awaiting the official medical diagnosis for Doãn Ngọc Tân. If the injury is truly serious, not only will Viettel lose a key player for the upcoming period, but the 31-year-old himself may face a decline in transfer value and long-term career impact. This incident once again rings the alarm about dangerous tackles in V.League – where players sometimes disregard colleagues' health due to performance pressure. Hopefully, with the intervention of the VFF disciplinary committee and public opinion, similar situations will be prevented, making Vietnamese football more civilized and professional.