Hà Tĩnh loses key foreign player for round 14 of the V-League

Helerson from Hà Tĩnh will miss round 14 of the 2025/2026 V-League due to receiving his third yellow card.

The Hà Tĩnh Club will enter round 14 of the 2025/2026 V-League with a significant loss as central defender Helerson Mateus Do Nascimento serves a suspension. The absence of the Brazilian foreign player poses considerable challenges for the team’s defense during this critical phase of the season.

According to the schedule, Hà Tĩnh will host SLNA at 18:00 on February 28. This match is crucial, but coach Nguyễn Công Mạnh cannot field his strongest lineup since Helerson has received three yellow cards and must sit out as per the organizers' regulations.

Since the start of the season, Helerson has been the primary defensive anchor. Standing at 1.90 meters with strong tackling skills, he frequently wins aerial duels and leads the defense in front of goalkeeper Nguyễn Thanh Tùng. His solidity helps shape the disciplined defensive style that Hà Tĩnh has developed.

Statistics highlight Helerson’s clear influence. After 13 rounds, he has played all 1170 minutes, meaning every minute of every game, and scored 2 goals. Few defenders in the V-League maintain such consistent playing time and performance.

The Brazilian’s endurance is not limited to this season. In 2024/2025, Helerson appeared in all 25 matches with over 2000 minutes played, becoming one of the most reliable foreign central defenders in the league. He is regarded as an indispensable “rock” in Hà Tĩnh’s defensive system.

Amid the club’s current streak of three matches without a win, losing Helerson to suspension adds more pressure on the coaching staff and teammates. The upcoming match against SLNA will be a true test of Hà Tĩnh’s resilience as they must find a worthy replacement for this vital defensive link.