Vietnamese national team striker reveals surprising statement after helping Ninh Binh reach semifinals

Hero Pham Gia Hung scored in the 90+6 minute to help Ninh Binh FC secure a thrilling victory, while also expressing surprise upon returning to the Vietnam national team with determination to prove himself.

Hero Pham Gia Hung becomes the focal point after scoring the decisive goal to help Ninh Binh FC achieve a thrilling victory in the quarterfinals of the 2025/26 National Cup. The goal in the 90+6 minute not only secured a ticket to the semifinals but also marked a crucial turning point for this individual player ahead of his return to the national team.

In the challenging encounter against PVF-CAND, Ninh Binh faced many difficulties against the opponent's resilient play. Despite being rated higher, the home team had to wait until the final moments of added time to decide the match, when Gia Hung shone at the right moment, sealing an emotional 3-2 victory.

The precious goal from the midfielder from Dak Lak not only helped Coach Vu Tien Thanh's team advance to the semifinals, but also ended a streak of 6 matches without a win in V.League. This is considered a major morale boost, helping Ninh Binh regain confidence ahead of the crucial phase of the season, where they will face The Cong Viettel in the next round.

Sharing after the match, Gia Hung could not hide his emotions: “This was a very difficult match, especially playing in the knockout format of the Cup. PVF-CAND created a lot of pressure. I feel fortunate to have scored the goal that helped the team win.”

Despite shining, the 2003-born player candidly acknowledged the limitations of his team: “Conceding many goals stems from multiple factors. When the team is struggling, any mistake can lead to a conceded goal.”This statement shows Gia Hung's clarity and awareness for improvement in the context where the team still has many issues to address.

Immediately after the match, Gia Hung and his teammates will join the Vietnam National Team camp to prepare for the match against the Malaysia National Team in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. He shared: “This is the 4th time I have been called up to the Vietnam National Team, but this time was somewhat surprising. I thought I might not be on Coach Kim Sang Sik's list, so when called back, I gained extra motivation to strive and work harder.”With his rising form, this midfielder aims to help the national team achieve victory, closing the qualifiers with a perfect record.