After a successful surgery, Xuan Son He is currently undergoing rehabilitation training. The 27-year-old striker is expected to return to the pitch after 9 months, meaning he will still be able to participate in the 33rd SEA Games at the end of the year once the regional sports event organizers allow teams to use two older players. After reclaiming the ASEAN Cup championship, Coach Kim Sang Sik's next important goal is to win the SEA Games gold medal, in addition to the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup in 2025.

Following the ASEAN Cup 2024, Vietnamese football is aiming for the SEA Games 2025. Photo: SN

At the 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand at the end of the year, the South Korean strategist stated that he wanted the strongest possible squad, and therefore would be scouting players in the upcoming V-League to select his team. When asked about whether he would call up Xuan Son for the 33rd SEA Games, Coach Kim Sang Sik said: "I really hope Xuan Son returns soon. Having Xuan Son is a good option, creating balance for the team. I think the competition with regional rivals and the addition of naturalized players like Xuan Son are very worthwhile considerations to strengthen the team. But we shouldn't only rely on those players; we need to nurture young players. I also think that competition between domestic and foreign players will make the team even stronger."

Will Xuan Son be able to participate in the SEA Games? Photo: SN

Meanwhile, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu stated that it was too early to discuss whether Xuan Son would participate in the SEA Games 33, as the player was currently recovering from an injury. Most importantly, the plan of coach Kim Sang Sik and the SEA Games organizing committee should consider whether or not to allow older players to participate. In the most recent SEA Games, the organizing committee stipulated an age limit of under 22 for participating teams. If the organizing committee allows each team to use two older players, the question of whether Xuan Son should participate in the SEA Games is causing controversy. Many argue that this is a tournament for young players, and therefore the VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik should only use domestic players. Xuan Son is reserved for the national team's major goals. However, there are also many opinions supporting Xuan Son's inclusion in the SEA Games, given that Vietnamese football needs to achieve success and opponents like Indonesia and the Philippines also use many naturalized players.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tranh-cai-nguyen-xuan-son-du-sea-games-2362330.html