Doan Van Hau's Absence Against Indonesia: Kim Sang-sik's Decision and the Fans' Sentiment

I still remember the feeling of standing among the crowd in red with gold stars in Manila, December 2026. On the pitch, a 20-year-old boy ran as if he had never known fatigue, throwing himself into every challenge as if the SEA Games final were the last match of his life. Doan Van Hau at that moment was more than a left-back; he was a symbol of audacity, of the Vietnamese football that had been waiting for decades. Six years later, the same man stood outside the pitch, among the omitted names before the away trip to Indonesia. Believe me, I went to Euro 2026 with a pen and returned with a stadium in my heart — but I have never seen a stadium change a person so much.

The decision of coach Kim Sang-sik not to call up Doan Van Hau was announced as the Vietnam national team prepared for a group-stage match away in Indonesia. This is the most anticipated match of the year, not only because of points, but because the history between the two football nations always burns hotter than any other rivalry in Southeast Asia. Among the absent names, Van Hau drew the most attention. A portion of fans immediately recalled the 2026 SEA Games final, where Van Hau opened the scoring in a 3-0 win over Indonesia U22, bringing Vietnam its historic gold medal. “How can a hero of that match be left behind?” they asked.

The nostalgic side saw this decision as a denial of the past. To them, a player who made history cannot be cast aside for such a historic match. They remembered the roaring cheers, the tears in the stands, the moment Van Hau raised his arm in celebration before tens of thousands of silent Indonesian fans. The approving side, on the contrary, cited very practical reasons: form, fitness, discipline. They argued that a team cannot live in the past forever, and a player in poor form — even a hero — does not deserve a starting spot. This debate is not new, but in Vietnam, before a match against Indonesia, it becomes especially bitter.

Looking at how Kim Sang-sik has run the national team since taking charge, one can see a consistent principle: collective solidity is always preferred over individual brilliance. That principle is not new, but it has never been clearer than in a match with such high stakes. In a match where the opponent's stands can create immense psychological pressure, a player just returning from injury, with a reputation for hot temper and easy provocation, could become the weak point the opponent targets. In past encounters, Indonesian players have often played fiercely, sometimes brutally, and referees in this region tend to overlook strong challenges. A player who loses his temper easily could be provoked into a red card — something any coach must consider. Leaving out a name like Doan Van Hau, in such circumstances, is not merely a technical decision; it is a decision about psychology and risk control. Based on my experience following matches, I can say that in such passionate atmospheres, defensive calm matters far more than pace or crossing ability.

There is no denying that Van Hau is no longer himself after a long injury layoff. Elite football waits for no one. A player who has been out for six months, nine months, then returns, must face the brutality of match tempo, physical contact, and doubts from his own legs. Meanwhile, his teammates at left-back have been playing steadily and regularly. They have match