Nguyễn Ngọc Thắng

Nguyễn Ngọc Thắng (born 2 August 2002) is a Vietnamese professional footballer who plays as a centre back.^[1]

Nguyễn Ngọc Thắng

Personal information
Birth name	Nguyễn Ngọc Thắng
Date of birth	(2002-08-02) 2 August 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth	Kỳ Anh, Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Youth career
2013–2020	Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2024	Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh	24	(0)
2022	→ Long An (loan)	16	(0)
International career‡
2022–2024	Vietnam U23	17	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Vietnam AFF U-23 Championship Winner Cambodia 2022 Team Winner Thailand 2023 SEA Games Phnom Penh 2023 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 May 2023

In May 2024, Ngọc Thắng was arrested for illegal drug use in Hà Tĩnh and was later sentenced to four years in prison.

Club career

Born in Hà Tĩnh, Ngọc Thắng was admitted to the youth team of Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh in 2013 after his performances during a local tournament. He was promoted to Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh's first team for the 2020 V.League 1 season but didn't make any appearances.^[2]

In 2021, Ngọc Thắng was loaned to Nutifood-JMG [vi] and won the 2021 Vietnamese National U-21 Championship as his team's main centre back.^[2]

On 13 February 2023, Ngọc Thắng made his professional debut, starting in Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh's 2–3 V.League 1 defeat against defending champions Hà Nội.^[3][4]

International career

Ngọc Thắng was named to the Vietnam national under-23 team squad for the 2022 AFF U-23 Championship. He played in the opening game against Singapore before getting replaced in the squad for being tested positive for Covid-19.^[5] His teammates later secured the title after the 1–0 against Thailand in the final.^[6]

In April 2022, Ngọc Thắng was selected by coach Philippe Troussier to participate in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games with Vietnam under-22.^[7]

In April 2024, Ngọc Thắng was named in Vietnam U23's squad for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024. He was sent-off in his first match against Kuwait and conceded his team a penalty.^[8]

Personal life

Ngọc Thắng idolizes Vietnam national team captain Quế Ngọc Hải.^[9]

Arrest and sentence

On 4 May 2024, Ngọc Thắng and four other teammates at Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh were arrested at a hotel in Hà Tĩnh on drug-related charges. The Vietnam Football Federation immediately suspended these players from all football activities and Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh also removed them from the squad.^[10][11] In the trial held on 27 August 2024, the People's Court of Hà Tĩnh sentenced Ngọc Thắng to 4 years in prison for the illegal use of drugs.^[12]

Honours

Nutifood JMG Academy

• Vietnamese National U-21 Football Championship: 2021

Vietnam U23^[1]

• AFF U-23 Championship: 2022, 2023
• SEA Games: Bronze medal: 2023