Duy Mạnh sends a message to Xuân Son before the match against Laos.
Do Duy Manh emphasized Xuan Son's professionalism and ambition before the Vietnamese national team traveled to Laos for the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers; the leadership committee maintained the same schedule for FIFA Days in November.
On the afternoon of November 14th in Viet Tri (Phu Tho), just before the final training session and the planned departure to Laos on the morning of November 15th, captain Do Duy Manh sent a clear message to Nguyen Xuan Son: professionalism and desire are key to the striker's return to the Vietnamese national team. The entire team is looking forward to the match against the host team on November 19th in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.
Captain's message: discipline, ambition, and the return of Xuan Son.
One of the highlights of the training camp is the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son after nearly a year away due to injury. Sharing his thoughts about his teammate, Do Duy Manh said: “Everyone knows Xuan Son’s ability. He is a good striker, with excellent goal-scoring skills. 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 Vietnamese national team.”
The captain of the Vietnamese national team also recounted his teammate's feelings: "Son shared that what he misses most is the feeling of being on the field. For a player, having to leave the pitch is terrible. But in every training session, we clearly see that longing and determination that Son shows through his relentless efforts."
Vietnam national team's preparation framework before the November 19th match.
The training session in Viet Tri (Phu Tho) was the final leg of the plan before the Vietnamese national team traveled to Laos on the morning of November 15th. Here, the team's spirit and training pace were maintained positively, according to the coaching staff. The match against the host team will take place on November 19th, as part of the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Personnel decisions: captain and vice-captains
According to an announcement from the Vietnam Football Federation, coach Kim Sang Sik continues to trust and entrust the captain's armband of the Vietnamese national team during the FIFA Days in November to Do Duy Manh, in preparation for the match against Laos. Joining Duy Manh in the leadership team are vice-captains Quang Hai and Hoang Duc.
Previously, in October, when Quang Hai was absent, Vietnamese-born player Cao Pendant Quang Vinh was given the vice-captaincy by the South Korean strategist. From the 2024 AFF Cup to the present, Do Duy Manh has been trusted in the leadership role, responsible for connecting the locker room and providing moral support for the entire team.
Xuan Son's comeback: mindset and internal expectations.
Xuan Son's return after nearly a year-long hiatus due to injury presents a dual challenge: stable physical condition and a renewed sense of competitive spirit. Based on what the captain shared, the leadership team recognizes two fundamental qualities in the striker – personal discipline and a strong desire to compete – which are evident throughout every training session. This forms the basis for the coaching staff and teammates' expectations of his contributions in the coming period.
The scene before departure.
The Vietnamese national team's preparations over the past few days have been positive, as noted in statements made before training sessions. The volume and intensity of training have been consistently maintained, aiming to stabilize the team's lineup and morale before their away match in Laos. The clear schedule (training on November 14th, travel on the morning of November 15th, match on November 19th) allows the entire team to effectively manage their biological rhythms and recover.
Highlights from internal messaging
The captain's message to Xuan Son — "very professional" and "great desire" — demonstrates the player's level of commitment as well as the support within the locker room. In the context of international competition, which demands discipline and mental readiness, these values often form the foundation for a team's stable operation through each FIFA Day period.
The team has finalized its leadership structure, maintained its preparation schedule, and is looking forward to the match on November 19th with a unified team focused on its goals. The return of Xuan Son, along with a message from the captain, is a noteworthy detail in this process.
