Hoang Duc's second 'sweet fruit'
At the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball Awards ceremony, Nguyen Hoang Duc was honored in the Men's Golden Ball category. This is the second time in his career that Hoang Duc has won this prestigious award. The midfielder born in 1998 surpassed his top 5 competitors such as Pham Tuan Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Dang Van Lam and Vu Van Thanh to "take the throne".
2023 witnessed Hoang Duc's mixed emotions. The 26-year-old player played prominently in V-League 2023 for The Cong Viettel Club with 5 goals and 5 assists, helping the army team win the 2023 National Cup runner-up and the 2023 V-League bronze medal.
However, Hoang Duc's value does not only lie in the number of goals he has scored. As an organizing midfielder, his class lies in his ability to control and participate in the development of the ball as well as his ability to control the game.
Hoang Duc won the Vietnamese Golden Ball
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Hoang Duc won the 2023 Men's Golden Ball
Silver Ball Pham Tuan Hai
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Bronze Ball Dang Van Lam
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In this respect, Hoang Duc has been the most stable name in Vietnamese football over the past 4 years. He is the "brain" leading the young team of Viettel The Cong Club, and also plays the role of controlling the midfield of the Vietnamese national team under coach Park Hang-seo.
The titles of Vietnam Golden Ball 2021, 2023 and V-League Best Player 2023 that Hoang Duc won all came from special circumstances, in the season he... did not have any titles at the club. However, the fact that he did not have any collective achievements but was still honored shows that Hoang Duc was truly recognized for his excellent individual performance, to the point that without the resonance of collective titles, the midfielder born in 1998 still stood out from the rest.
Hoang Duc in the shirt of Viettel The Cong Club | Round 8 V-League 2023-2024
However, the 2023 season is not all rosy for Hoang Duc. The second half of 2023 was full of storms for the 26-year-old player. He lost his place in the Vietnamese national team when coach Troussier removed him from the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (against Iraq and the Philippines). According to the French coach, Hoang Duc is not suitable for a ball-controlling style of play and needs to work harder to gain a place.
At the club level, Hoang Duc is still a starter, but The Cong Viettel Club is not playing well. The army team is currently in the bottom half of the V-League 2023 - 2024 rankings, with an ineffective attack with only 6 goals after 9 matches. In a team that is on the decline, Hoang Duc has not been able to carry the team.
Hoang Duc in the Viettel The Cong Club shirt
The performance of the player born in 1998 was only average, and in the most recent match, he was assessed by coach Nguyen Duc Thang as "physically declining and under personal pressure".
The 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball title is a "sweet fruit" for Hoang Duc at the age of 26, rewarding the player's persistent efforts. But at the same time, it is also a necessary encouragement for Hoang Duc at this time. The 26-year-old midfielder needs a boost to come back.
What comes after the Ballon d'Or?
2024 will play a pivotal role in Hoang Duc's career. At the age of 26, the Hai Duong native has reached his "maturity" and if he wants to break out, this is the most suitable time.
Hoang Duc's immediate goal is still to improve the performance of The Cong Viettel Club. The army team has only won 1 point in the last 4 matches, falling freely to the bottom group. Although coach Thach Bao Khanh has been replaced by Nguyen Duc Thang, the quality of play of The Cong Viettel Club has not improved.
Physical and mental problems are weighing on Hoang Duc and his teammates, because unlike other teams in the bottom group, Viettel The Cong Club is not "familiar" with the relegation race. The 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball title is therefore the motivation for Hoang Duc to regain his form. In the context of continuous rejuvenation and squad changes, coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team needs Hoang Duc at his best to return.
Vietnam team needs Hoang Duc at his best
Hoang Duc also needs to regain his place in the Vietnam national team. The 26-year-old player was tested by coach Troussier in his off-field position (striker) and has not been able to adapt.
As the Vietnamese team prepares to enter two crucial matches with Indonesia in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, the Vietnamese team needs Hoang Duc at his best.
A player who is good at controlling the rhythm, has abundant physical strength and good vision like Hoang Duc is a valuable resource that perhaps Coach Troussier should not waste any more. The French coach had a frank discussion with Hoang Duc, and together we are waiting for the midfielder born in 1998 to be returned to where he belongs.
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