Defender Bui Xuan Hieu of Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC suffered severe back and neck injuries in a traffic accident in Gia Lai Province on Monday and is unlikely to play football again.

He is in Quy Nhon Hospital in Binh Dinh Province with a damaged spinal chord and neck artery. Doctors said his football career might be over.

Hieu joined the national team for the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in 2011. The team is now preparing for the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup this year.

Head coach Phan Thanh Hung said Hieu would be replaced by Vo Hoang Quang of SHB Da Nang. — VNS