Vietnam National Team defender opens up about injury at AFF Cup 2024

Defender Hồ Tấn Tài confides that he feels anxious watching his teammates gradually return from injuries.

After nearly a year sidelined due to a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, defender Hồ Tấn Tài has fully recovered and is ready to make a comeback. Previously, the Becamex TPHCM club defender suffered a torn right ACL during the AFF Cup 2024 semifinal in Singapore, underwent surgery in January, and has been out of play until now.

If anyone is most eager and impatient to return to the field, it would probably be Hồ Tấn Tài himself, as he shared: “After almost a year of rehabilitation following surgery, I truly miss football a lot, so I am working hard to get back on the pitch soon. Seeing my teammates who had similar surgeries come back to play earlier makes me even more anxious,”Hồ Tấn Tài told the media.

In fact, after his surgery, Tấn Tài strictly followed the recovery exercises prescribed by Dr. Trần Huy Thọ – the Vietnam National Team doctor – and his rehabilitation progressed very well. Recently, Tấn Tài began training with Becamex TPHCM club. However, he then experienced a minor hamstring issue, requiring rest to ensure full recovery.

“Recently, I resumed training with my teammates at the Đất Thủ team, but then I had a slight hamstring problem, so I had to rest to recover fully. Additionally, the Becamex TPHCM coaching staff wants to preserve my fitness so I can return to competition in peak condition. Since I have been rehabilitating for nearly a year, there is no rush to play in just a few matches,” Tấn Tài expressed.

The defender born in 1997 returning to play is not only good news for Becamex TPHCM club but also a positive sign for coach Kim Sang Sik and the Vietnam National Team. Notably, Tấn Tài’s extensive international experience will be a strong pillar for Vietnam’s defense as they prepare for the final Asian Cup 2027 qualifier match against Malaysia.