Midfielder Nguyen Duc Chien collapses on pitch: Referee and medical team save his life

On the evening of May 12, 2026, at Thong Nhat Stadium, the match between Ho Chi Minh City FC and Công An Hà Nội FC took place in the 10th round of V.League 2026. When the score was 1-1, in the 79th minute, midfielder Nguyen Duc Chien of the home team suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed in the middle of the field. There was no contact from the opponent, all players and referee Le Van Minh immediately stopped. Referee Le Van Minh immediately blew his whistle and signaled for the medical team to enter the field. This action took place within seconds, in accordance with IFAB Law 5 when there is a concern about player safety. The surrounding players tried to assist, but the medical team quickly approached and performed artificial respiration. The match was interrupted for 12 minutes, making the atmosphere tense. Nguyen Duc Chien then began breathing on his own and was taken by ambulance to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City in stable condition. According to the medical team, the player was diagnosed with an arrhythmia caused by physical exertion. He will need at least 6 weeks off from playing to monitor and treat his condition. The absence of Nguyen Duc Chien is a headache for the coaching staff of HCMC FC, especially as the team is about to play in the AFC Champions League next week. Chien's central position in midfield is not easily replaced. Young player Cao Van Dong, who often partnered with Chien, will have to take on more responsibility along with veteran Le Huy Cuong. Coach Pham Hai Dang stated: 'We always prioritize player health. Chien is an important part of the tactics, but we don't want to risk him.' This incident once again sounds an alarm about medical care in Vietnamese football. Periodic health checks, electrocardiograms, and even genetic tests for professional players are extremely important. Doctor Nguyen Thanh Ha from the hospital said: 'Arrhythmia in young players, if not detected promptly, can lead to serious consequences. The referee's decision to stop the match was absolutely correct, giving him the chance to survive as he has.' Tactically, this match is almost impossible to analyze in depth because the players were distracted after the incident. However, this shows that the referee's role is not only to blow the whistle but also to protect the player's life. There have been many similar incidents around the world, and the lesson is that clubs should invest more in equipment and medical staff. For now, fans are closely monitoring Nguyen Duc Chien's health. HCMC FC plans to announce the results of a comprehensive examination in the coming days. Once again, we sympathize with the player and hope he recovers soon. Football is only beautiful when players are absolutely safe on the field.