“After consulting with the Vietnamese health authorities, the national team’s coaching board and coach Park Hang-seo decided not to summon Dang Van Lam for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers,” VFF vice president Cao Van Chong told local media outlets.
“This is a pity but we have no choice to ensure the safety of the players,” he said.
The decision was made after Lam came into close contact with one of his teammates who had tested positive at Cerezo Osaka FC in Japan.
Lam is Vietnam’s No1 goalkeeper. He is playing for Cerezo Osaka FC.
The Japanese FC had earlier accepted the VFF’s proposal to allow Lam to play for Vietnam at the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates.
However, the emergence of the virus forced the club to retain the Vietnamese goalie till June 1. Coach Park immediately called up goalkeeper Van Hoang of Song Lam Nghe An FC.
Park’s decision means Dang Van Lam will miss the chance to play for the national team at the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Vietnam are scheduled to play Indonesia on June 7, Malaysia on June 11, before facing hosts the UAE on June 15 as part of the remaining fixtures in Group G of the Asian region’s World Cup qualifiers.