The return of value of Xuan Son and Van Hau

Xuan Son and Van Hau have both returned to play, even though it was just an internal friendly match at the club level, it was an important step for both of them to resume their professional football careers and return to the Vietnamese national team.

Good news from Xuan Son

After 10 months of injury and following a strict recovery regimen, striker Nguyen Xuan Son has returned to play. The 28-year-old striker returned to play in a friendly match between Nam Dinh Club and PVF-CAND Youth (Nam Dinh won 1-0 with a goal by Percy Tau), entering the field in the second half. Although he only played for a few minutes, with some touches, wall passes and basic dribbling, for Xuan Son at this time, being able to play is already a precious thing.

The Brazilian striker has spent nearly a year treating a serious injury suffered in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final against Thailand.

Xuan Son has recovered from his injury and is back in action.

PHOTO: NAM DINH CLUB

Despite his good health and uncomplicated injury history, Xuan Son had to make a lot of effort to go through the 4 stages of recovery (the last stage being therapy and high-intensity physical training). He looked forward to every day of returning to the field, not missing any match of Nam Dinh or the Vietnamese team, with an "itchy" feeling in his heart.

Xuan Son was injured when he was at the peak of his career, being the top scorer of the V-League (scoring 31 goals in 26 matches) helping Nam Dinh win the championship, then winning the top scorer title (7 goals in 5 matches) and the title of best player of the AFF Cup 2024. Xuan Son's absence for 10 months has greatly affected every team he has participated in.

Nam Dinh FC still won the V-League, but could not find a "heavy artillery" of the same level despite having bought 13 foreign players. For the Vietnam national team, the problem is even more serious. Coach Kim Sang-sik has reformed the attack with many strikers and midfielders, but no one has been able to fill the void left by Xuan Son.

Van Hau returns

In the last 4 matches, the Vietnamese team still scored 10 goals, but 7 of them were against weak teams like Laos and Cambodia. Against Malaysia, Mr. Kim's students could hardly attack. Or against Nepal in the recent match, almost all of the long passes and crosses of the Vietnamese team were neutralized by the world's 176th ranked team, because there was no longer a reliable "lighthouse" ready to press and intercept the ball inside.

Therefore, Xuan Son's return will be closely monitored by coach Kim Sang-sik. There are 5 months left from now until the rematch against Malaysia in the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers (March 2026). This is enough time for Xuan Son to start, regain his form, playing sense and sharpness that made him a striker who broke many V-League records. More importantly, when Xuan Son returns, both the expertise and confidence of the Vietnamese team can be strongly revived. That is the necessary momentum to win a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup and defend the AFF Cup throne next year.

"Sweet fruit" for Van Hau

Van Hau's return was overshadowed when he and the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) lost a friendly match against Hanoi Club. But for the 26-year-old defender, being able to step back on the field was a battle in which he won against himself, surpassing his own limits.

Van Hau's ability to return has been doubted, as he suffered from heel spur inflammation, knee cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament swelling, posterior cruciate ligament swelling and hamstring tendon swelling... Over the past 2 years, the name Van Hau has faded from the football map, as the former left-back of the Vietnamese national team has completely stopped playing for surgery, therapy and rehabilitation.

When it seemed like Van Hau's hope of returning was fading because he suffered too many serious injuries in football, this defender rekindled hope with his recent comeback, even though it was just a small step on a very long journey he had to overcome.

It is too early to talk about Van Hau's prospects at CAHN Club, or the "door" to return to the Vietnam national team. However, with a defender who has had many injections and endured pain on his knees to enter the field, there is no doubt about his passion and desire. Desire has brought the boy from Hung Yen from zero to become the most versatile defender in the history of Vietnamese football to date.

Van Hau, please continue to persevere. Although the future is unpredictable, Coach Kim will not turn his back on those who never give up.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/su-tro-lai-gia-tri-cua-xuan-son-va-van-hau-185251012212348855.htm