Vietnam National Team aims for AFF Cup: Xuan Son returns, waiting for naturalization

At the end of 2025, the Vietnam national team welcomed a big milestone: Xuan Son returned after a year of injury treatment. The return of the main striker not only increased the firepower for the AFF Cup, but also initiated a long-term plan where coach Kim Sang-sik prioritized collective operation, reduced individual dependence and integrated naturalized players.

Xuan Son's return and the problem of rebuilding the attack line

Xuan Son’s presence is the foundation for innovation under coach Kim Sang-sik. The team not only has an additional source of goals, but also an organizational solution: he is ready to drop deep to play the ball, pull the opponent’s center back, and create a finishing lane for his teammates. Even when he is not at 100% form, the mental effect of Xuan Son’s presence is immediate.

The Xuan Son - Tien Linh pair and the flexibility of 3-4-3, 3-5-2

The reunion of Xuan Son and Tien Linh helps coach Kim Sang-sik restore the two-pronged formula that made an impression at the AFF Cup 2024, with explosive second halves against Singapore and Thailand. This striker pair allows the team to smoothly switch between 3-4-3 and 3-5-2, increasing the variability in the approach to the goal.

In terms of duties, Xuan Son often moves back to receive the ball, attract people and free up space, while Tien Linh focuses on the finishing area. Both are strong in moving without the ball and in the air, thereby opening up many options for attacking in depth.

Reduce dependence, improve coordination standards

In the past, the Vietnam national team scored 21 goals in 8 matches at the AFF Cup, largely thanks to Xuan Son's versatility and power. Now that he has returned, putting the burden on an individual is potentially risky. Coach Kim Sang-sik therefore promoted the collective playing model, emphasizing passing and understanding between the lines to share the scoring task.

Besides, the satellites also improved. Tien Linh increasingly perfected his ability to hold the ball and lead the attack, ready to share the fire with his teammates against physically strong opponents.

Long-term vision: domestic players, U23 and naturalized players

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam Football Federation's plan does not stop at the AFF Cup. The destination is the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers, with a multi-layered personnel structure.

• Domestic players: Maintain focus on striker Tien Linh, while testing faces like Gia Hung and Viet Cuong.
• U23 generation: Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan, Quoc Viet promise to provide depth and long-term competitiveness.
• Naturalization: Following the success of Xuan Son, this policy is promoted to add instant quality to the front line.

Hoang Hen, Geovane Magno and the new chapter of the attack

In the naturalization spearhead, the next target is Do Hoang Hen, an attacking midfielder born in 1994 who has Vietnamese nationality and is waiting for FIFA to approve his playing conditions. In addition, Geovane Magno is also in the waiting process after receiving support from the authorities.

The timely additions from these elements will help the team improve creativity and sharpness in the box, while allowing the coaching staff to diversify the attacking structure, from two strikers to a formation with a No. 10 operating between the lines.

Near and far goals

In the short term, Xuan Son is the fulcrum for a flexible attack at the AFF Cup. In the long term, the Vietnam national team is aiming for a sustainable structure based on three pillars of personnel, with healthy internal competition and a clear line of succession. When all the pieces fit together, the team can progress on the continent, not just based on inspiration from a star but with a system that is deep and rich in options.