Pham Thanh Luong has left the national football team. — Photo thanhnien

HA NOI (VNS) — 2014 Vietnamese Golden Ball winner Pham Thanh Luong has left the national football team because he has not recovered from an injury.

The team's Japanese coach, Toshiya Miura, has called upon striker Nguyen Quang Hai to replace Luong in preparation for the World Cup 2018's Asian qualifier zone.

Hai is a key player from the Quang Ninh Coal club in the national premier league. He helped Viet Nam defeat Singapore in the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old player Luong is best known for his performances during the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup that helped Viet Nam win their first title. He was the former captain of the Vietnamese national U23 team. — VNS