Do Hung Dung of Hanoi FC receives a dangerous tackle from Ngo Hoang Thinh of HCMC FC during a V. League game on March 23, 2021 (Photo: VnExpress)

In the 27th minute of the game against HCMC FC, midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh, in an attempt to stop a counterattack, made a sliding tackle on Dung, who collapsed immediately and screamed in pain.

Doctors rushed onto the field, sprayed a painkiller and put the broken leg in a shin guard. Dung left the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital after some first aid.

The referee showed Thinh the red card.

The vibrant atmosphere in the stadium was muted for the rest of the match after the unfortunate incident.

Hanoi went on to win 3-0. Dung’s teammate, defender Do Duy Manh, did not celebrate after scoring the first goal, but instead put his hands together to pray for Dung.

X-rays showed the lower half of Dung’s shin bone was broken, an injury that is likely to keep him out of the game for at least a year.

Thinh called on his injured counterpart at the hospital to check on his condition and apologize.

Dung is expected to leave hospital three days after a surgery and start his recovery process.

Dung is a vital cog in both the Hanoi FC and the national team. He has won the V. League thrice with the club and the 2018 AFF Cup, and the 2019 SEA Games gold medal with Vietnam.

The national team are certain to feel the Dung-sized hole in midfield when they play their last final World Cup Asian qualifiers against Malaysia, Indonesia and UAE in June.