The team left Vietnam on Sunday for Huangzhou (China) for the second qualifier match of the Asian Cup 2011. Goalkeeper Quang Huy was called up at the last minute because major goalkeeper Hong Son is injured.

Goalkeeper Duc Cuong.

Hong Son suffered an injury to his left shoulder in the match against Lebanon. He did not participate in the last four practices of the team.

The goalkeeper told correspondents that he was willing to play but after consulting doctors, coach Henrique Calisto decided to let Hong Son stay at home to treat the injury and Quang Huy was called up to the team.

Quang Huy himself is suffering a small injury to his knee and has not attended practices at all. Doctors say the injury is minor and Quang Huy can return to practice soon.

In the last interview before leaving for China, Calisto said Duc Cuong would be the major goalkeeper. This is the only healthy goalkeeper of the team. However, it is said that Duc Cuong is not as good a keeper as Quang Huy.

Quang Huy was the number one goalkeeper of the national squad before Hong Son’s rise at the Asian Cup 2007. It is believed that Calisto doesn’t favour this goalkeeper because in seven matches at AFF Cup 2008, Quang Huy was registered as a reserve goalkeeper just once.

It is good news that Tan Tai has recovered and will be able to play in the match against China on January 21.

(Source: TP)