Vietnam national team 'forgets' naturalized defender

The disastrous mistake in SHB Da Nang's loss to SLNA not only made Do Phi Long the focus of criticism but also caused him to lose serious points in Kim Sang Sik's eyes. When performance declines, age becomes a barrier, and the chance to join the national team grows increasingly distant.

The 0-1 defeat at Vinh stadium against SLNA in round 18 of V-League 2025/26 was not just a simple loss forSHB Da Nang.

It was a match that clearly exposed the problems in the defense, notably the situation where Do Phi Long fouled Van Huy, creating the opportunity for Olaha to score the decisive goal.

A moment of lack of focus, but the consequences were too severe, causing the Han River team to continue sinking deep in the bottom group of the table.

With 12 points after 18 rounds, SHB Da Nang faces the risk of repeating the relegation scenario of the 2023 season. In that picture, Phi Long, once expected to be the "steel shield," has become the weak link.

Not only did he make a mistake, but he also had to leave the field at the end of the second half due to injury, ending a forgettable day of play. The problem ofPhi Longlies not in one match but in an entire process of decline.

When he wore the Thanh Hoa jersey, this 1.95m tall central defender impressed with his aerial ability and important goals. But since moving to SHB Da Nang and completing his naturalization, his performance has clearly deteriorated.

The solidity is gone, and his aerial dueling ability is no longer a superior advantage. At age 31, the player who came toV-Leagueto play from the 2019 season does not have much time left to "rebuild."

In the context where coach Kim Sang Sik is building the Vietnam national team with a youth-oriented direction, players over 30 increasingly find it difficult to secure a place. The case of Que Ngoc Hai is a clear example. The current captain of SHB Da Nang has long been removed from the national team list despite once being a pillar.

For a naturalized player like Phi Long, the pressure is even greater. He not only needs to play well but must also outperform domestic central defenders. However, reality shows the opposite. What Phi Long has displayed this season with 3 appearances and limited contributions is not enough to build confidence.

Moreover, barriers from FIFA also make his path to the national team more arduous. Due to interrupted playing time during the COVID-19 pandemic period, Phi Long does not yet meet the conditions to wear the Vietnam national team jersey and must wait at least until 2027. That means, if he does not improve his performance, the 1995-born player could completely lose his opportunity before even getting a chance to try.

Phi Long's decline also partly reflects the reality of SHB Da Nang. When the veteran pillars age and cannot maintain their form, the team lacks a foundation to compete. The experienced central defender duo is currently unable to help the club much.

In football, reputation or past achievements do not guarantee the future. Phi Long was once a formidable central defender, but currently he is on the other side of the slope. If he does not quickly regain his form, the 31-year-old player will not only lose his spot at the club but also close the dream of wearing the Vietnam national team jersey.

The defeat at Vinh stadium could also be a major turning point in Phi Long's career in V-League. After over 100 matches played at Vietnam's top competition, the 1995-born central defender needs to strive harder to prove he is not past his prime, let alone the dream of wearing the Vietnam national team jersey.