Ly Duc has arrived at a new port, will HAGL's defense be shaky? No!

Center back Pham Ly Duc has left HAGL Club. However, the defense of the mountain town team in V-League 2025-2026 is still full of vitality. HAGL still has personnel ready to replace the center back of the Vietnam U.23 team.

Unexpected decision

Pham Ly Duc has officially joined the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN). Last season, he was a key central defender for HAGL. However, Ly Duc's departure may not have much impact on the quality of the mountain town team's defense. HAGL has prepared a replacement plan.

Center back Pham Ly Duc leaves HAGL Club

Photo: Minh Tran

During the 2024-2025 season, there was also a period when central defender Pham Ly Duc was injured and had to miss many weeks of playing. During the aforementioned period, HAGL unexpectedly discovered central defender Dinh Quang Kiet.

The 18-year-old player performed well in the V-League, when he replaced Ly Duc in the HAGL defense. Even thanks to the matches he played in place of Pham Ly Duc, Dinh Quang Kiet was called up to the preliminary list of the Vietnam U.23 team, preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament.

Dinh Quang Kiet's weakness is that this player's experience is still limited, because he is too young. However, experience is a factor that Dinh Quang Kiet will certainly accumulate over time. Next season, it is very likely that this player will play better than last season. Therefore, HAGL has reason to wait for a better version of center-back Dinh Quang Kiet in V-League 2025-2026.

HAGL has available alternative personnel plans

Dinh Quang Kiet's great advantage is his excellent physique, he is 1.95 m tall. With this center back in the squad, HAGL will have a significant amount of strength in aerial balls and one-on-one contests.

Center back Dinh Quang Kiet (tallest) is ready to replace

Photo: HAGL FC

Another young central defender of HAGL who also has a very good physique is Nguyen Van Trieu (22 years old, 1.88 m tall). Last season, Nguyen Van Trieu was the third choice among the domestic central defenders of the mountain town team, after Pham Ly Duc and Dinh Quang Kiet. Currently, Ly Duc has left HAGL, Nguyen Van Trieu is only behind Dinh Quang Kiet, which means Nguyen Van Trieu will have the opportunity to play more and play more regularly.

With two central defenders Dinh Quang Kiet and Nguyen Van Trieu, HAGL is not worried about the lack of replacements for Pham Ly Duc. That is probably the reason why Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh is not too concerned about saying goodbye to the central defender of the Vietnam U.23 team. The mountain town team is still very young in defense, they are not worried about the lack of personnel in this area.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ly-duc-da-ve-ben-moi-hang-thu-hagl-lieu-co-chong-chenh-khong-185250717134803688.htm