Vietnam National Team and Xuan Son's return date

The Vietnamese team currently has 9 points after four matches and is ranked second in Group F of the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. The team currently ranked first in the group is Malaysia. The match against Laos is considered an important stepping stone for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to maintain their advantage before entering the decisive match against Malaysia in March 2026.

Xuan Son.jpg -0 — Xuan Son is eager to play. Photo: VFF

Previously, in the first leg at home, the Vietnamese team defeated Laos 5-0. However, as midfielder Hai Long shared: "After nearly a year, the Lao team will definitely have changes and so will the Vietnamese team. We will have a meeting to analyze the opponent. The coaching staff has tactical plans to confront the home team." In fact, in the following matches, the Vietnamese team also showed problems in the squad, especially the attack line was not really effective. The 0-4 loss to Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium exposed many weaknesses of the Vietnamese team. Even in the two wins against Nepal, we also performed an unimpressive style of play. In the match against Laos on November 19, everyone expected a new face when Xuan Son returned to the registered list of players. This was not only a mental boost for the players but also helped Mr. Kim Sang-sik have more options for the attack line.

“Xuan Son is a very good player and when playing with him, the players around him learn a lot. Xuan Son’s return helps the Vietnamese team gain significant strength,” said midfielder Hai Long.

Xuan Son is registered to play, however he will most likely come off the bench instead of starting. This is the opinion of some football experts when Mr. Kim Sang-sik called up this player. Xuan Son himself said that he has recovered 100% and is ready to play. The recent training sessions have also brought positive information. The choice will be up to the coaching staff.

In the pre-match press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik said: “I think it is absolutely possible to use Xuan Son. Xuan Son’s return will certainly bring more diverse attacking options to the Vietnamese team. I hope he will return with a goal to bring good news to Vietnamese fans.” That was like an affirmation that Xuan Son will be on the field. The problem will be whether this player will start or not.

Xuan Son has been out of the game since January 2025. He returned but has not played any matches for Nam Dinh Club. He has been called up to the national team and is expected to regain his form as he showed at the ASEAN Cup.

Meanwhile, captain Duy Manh once said: “Everyone knows Xuan Son’s ability. He is a good striker, with good scoring ability. Son and I often talk and encourage each other during training. He is very professional and is showing a great desire to contribute to the Vietnam team.”

This is the last match of the Vietnamese team in 2025, and also a key match in the journey to find a ticket to the Asian Cup 2027. Therefore, Mr. Kim Sang Sik emphasized: “This is an important match to end this year on a good note. We have prepared well and the players are in stable form. The goal of the whole team is to play confidently and win.

Although we have an important match against Malaysia in March next year in the race for a ticket to the Asian Cup Finals, the team must win this match first. Victory will create excitement and good spirit for the next stage."

The match between Laos and Vietnam will take place at 7:00 p.m. on November 19 at Laos National Stadium.

Vietnam team captain has high determination
Before the match between Vietnam and Laos, captain Do Duy Manh expressed the strong determination of the whole team. He affirmed: “This is an important match for me personally and the whole team. We will concentrate fully, follow the tactics of the coaching staff and try our best to win. Whoever is given the opportunity will contribute with the highest spirit.”
Previously, in the last training session in Phu Tho , Do Duy Manh said: “The team's atmosphere is very good right now. We have just gone through a stressful period of competition in the V.League, but the coaching staff has made reasonable adjustments so that the players can reach their best performance for the match against Laos. The whole team is highly focused and ready for the upcoming match.”
Regarding the pressure to win convincingly, this central defender affirmed that the whole team always aims for the winning spirit but is not subjective. He emphasized: "It is impossible to say anything before the ball rolls, but the Vietnamese team always has the goal of winning. The players all practice enthusiastically, strictly following the coach's tactics. Whoever is given the opportunity will try to perform their best. If there is a big win, it will certainly be a joy for everyone, especially the fans."

Source: https://cand.com.vn/van-hoa/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-va-ngay-tro-lai-cua-xuan-son-i788470/