Striker Nguyễn Anh Đức retires after last match with the national team on Tuesday. — VNS Photo
HÀ NỘI — Striker Nguyễn Anh Đức played his final match for the national team when Việt Nam drew with Thailand on Tuesday night in Hà Nội.
The veteran player earlier posted on his Facebook announcing his retirement.
"Every journey has its end. It is my honour to play for the national team together with generations of talented players. In my journey, the team and I have always received strong support, encouragement and love of people. Thank you and I hope the team will get more success in the future," Đức wrote.
After the match on Tuesday, Đức paid tribute to the supporters in Mỹ Đình Stadium and hugged his teammates goodbye.
Previously, Đức planned to retire after the AFF Cup last December. But coach Park Hang-seo still needed him, so he delayed his decision.
However, he suffered a knee injury during the King's Cup in June and has struggled to find his top form since then. He did not play a minute in Việt Nam's firs four matches of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Park confirmed the news and said Đức wanted to retire at 34 as he was getting old, his injury had not fully healed and there were young talented players who could replace him.
Park said he still wanted Đức in the team but he had made his decision.
In 14 years playing for the national team, Đức played 36 matches and scored 12 goals.
He won the AFF Cup trophy with the national team in 2018 and scored the winning goal in the final in Hà Nội. — VNS
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