Vietnam team builds a very strong attack for AFF Cup: Has Xuan Son and Hoang Hen

Vietnam team wears 'old but new' jersey

The return of Nguyen Xuan Son has helped the Vietnamese team's attack line restore its original state during the AFF Cup 2024. That is when coach Kim Sang-sik has both strikers Xuan Son and Tien Linh, to rotate the formation of 1 striker (3-4-3) or 2 strikers (3-5-2) depending on the situation.

Although in the AFF Cup, the formula of Tien Linh and Son pairing is not Mr. Kim's priority (Tien Linh usually only enters the field in the second half), but the numbers have proven that when Tien Linh and Xuan Son are present together, the Vietnamese team's attacking power increases many times.

Xuan Son brings new vitality to the Vietnamese team

PHOTO: VFF

The clearest proof is the explosive second halves that the Vietnamese team had against Singapore (first and second leg semi-final) and Thailand (first leg final).

With a "double-barreled gun" consisting of two strikers who both run to find space and are good at heading the ball, the Vietnamese team becomes harder to predict. Xuan Son also often drops back to play the ball, attracting people, opening up space for Tien Linh to do his best job: finding the right position and finishing. With two strikers who can take turns leading the attack, the Vietnamese team attacks more flexibly and smoothly, especially in the final moments of the match, when the opponent is exhausted.

Of course, after 1 year of injury treatment, Xuan Son will find it difficult to regain his shape, strength and ball feel like in the AFF Cup 2024.

The 28-year-old striker has been training with high intensity since August and is currently responding well to coach Kim's training plan. However, to fully return to his old self, Xuan Son needs more time.

In the match against Laos, he may come on as a substitute. But no matter how many minutes he plays or what state he plays in, as long as Xuan Son is present, the confidence and explosiveness of the Vietnamese team will return.

At the AFF Cup, because Xuan Son is so strong and versatile, the Vietnamese team does not need a good enough attacking system, and can still score 21 goals after 8 matches (2.62 goals/match).

However, when Xuan Son is just taking his first steps back, coach Kim Sang-sik needs to build a more fluid and coordinated playing style, so that Xuan Son can play well without wasting too much energy (leading to the risk of injury).

Xuan Son brings cohesion and confidence to his teammates

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

In Kim's favor, Tien Linh is improving his ability to hold, touch the ball and lead the game. The Vietnamese team's attack is still good in terms of personnel, just needing a "glue" to hold it together. Xuan Son provides that glue.

The arrival of a world-class player that the team can look up to will breathe new life into Kim's system.

Vision for the Asian Cup

However, coach Kim Sang-sik did not build an attack purely to... compete with the Laos team.

From now on, the Vietnamese team needs to look to a longer-term vision. That is the match against Malaysia in March 2026, the AFF Cup in July 2026, along with the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers, all taking place in 2027.

These are all difficult tournaments, with big opponents. In Southeast Asia, Thailand is still the "big guy" with a good domestic force, Indonesia can call up mixed-race players because the AFF Cup 2026 takes place in the summer. In Asia, there is still a big gap between Vietnam and the top group.

Therefore, the reform of the attack line is taking place simultaneously in 3 spearheads: domestic players, U.23 and naturalized foreign players.

Hoang Hen may soon be called up to the national team.

PHOTO: HANOI CLUB

Regarding domestic players, Mr. Kim still believes in striker Tien Linh, besides testing new players like Gia Hung and Viet Cuong. With the U.23 team, Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan and Quoc Viet are trustworthy factors, who will return to the national team after completing their tasks in the youth tournament.

As for naturalized foreign players, after the great success of Xuan Son, Mr. Kim will target Do Hoang Hen. The attacking midfielder born in 1994 has Vietnamese nationality and can join the national team next year when the World Football Federation (FIFA) approves his playing conditions.

In addition, Geovane Magno is also waiting to be granted citizenship, after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a document requesting support from the Ministry of Justice , as proposed by the Vietnam Football Federation and Mr. Kim.

The Vietnam team will change, although to have a new look, it will take a lot of effort from both teachers and students.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-xay-hang-cong-cuc-manh-cho-aff-cup-co-du-xuan-son-va-hoang-hen-185251116101538169.htm