HÀ NỘI  After nearly a year away from the pitch, midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên has made a remarkable return to Hà Nội FC, rediscovering top form and putting himself firmly back in contention for a call-up to the Vietnamese national team.

The capital side’s 3-2 victory over Becamex HCM City at the weekend not only kept their season on track but also delivered a significant confidence boost for Hên.

The past year has been testing, with injuries sidelining him during the second half of last season at Nam Định FC. His move to Hà Nội was further delayed by pending naturalisation procedures that kept him out of the first six matches of the 2025-26 campaign.

Hên finally made his debut on October 18, returning to action after months of frustration. Despite striking the post and the crossbar three times in a challenging match, he still earned a strong 7.2 Sofascore rating for his individual performance in a 1-3 defeat.

He made an even greater impact in his second outing, played in heavy rain at Bình Dương Stadium. On the sodden pitch, he orchestrated three dangerous chances in the opening 15 minutes, including a defence-splitting pass and two precise corner deliveries. His composure and game management helped Hà Nội maintain control.

His influence was decisive late in the first half when a superb first-time cross from the right wing disrupted goalkeeper Minh Toàn’s judgement, allowing Daniel Passira to head home the equaliser. Hên then opened his goalscoring account for Hà Nội with a calmly struck penalty.

Two matches in, Hên has already impressed head coach Harry Kewell, who said: “He is very good.”

The Australian recognises Hên’s true value, having directly contributed to 60 goals in V.League 1 and consistently shining regardless of the badge on his chest. In a league often dominated by long-ball tactics, his inventive dribbling and vision set him apart.

Hên arrived in V.League 1 at the beginning of the 2021 season and quickly established himself at Bình Định FC. The Brazilian-born midfielder won fans over with his cultured left foot, technique and football intelligence beyond the usual league standard.

A major breakthrough came with his move to Nam Định for the 2023-2024 season, where he formed a dynamic partnership with naturalised striker Nguyễn Xuân Son. Together, they helped secure Nam Định’s first-ever V.League 1 title. Hên scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists that season, delivering key performances against top contenders including Hà Nội and Thể Công Viettel.

On October 17, Hên officially received Vietnamese citizenship. Now fully eligible, he is eager to contribute not only to Hà Nội FC’s ambitions but also to the national team.

With South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik looking to refresh the squad ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, particularly the crucial March 2026 clash with Malaysia, Hên stands out as a promising new option in midfield. VNS