Midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh failed to make his Southeast Asian Games debut after a knee injury, which sent him packing yesterday. — Photo zing

HA NOI (VNS) — Midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh failed to make his Southeast Asian Games debut after a knee injury, which sent him packing yesterday.

Coach Toshyia Miura spoke yesterday with Anh, a former member of the national U19 team, and described his regret that Anh could not join the U23 squad in Singapore next month.

Anh injured his knee several days ago and he had been receiving intensive treatment in the hopes of recovering in time. Doctors, however, decided he wouldn't be able to recover in time.

After their talk, 2014's young player of the year left the squad's hotel to return home in Thai Binh Province.

Anh is the second player of U23 team, following midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh, who will have to stay home this summer, watching games on the TV. — VNS