Coach Kim Sang Sik surprisingly left Xuan Son on the bench against Laos.
Coach Kim Sang Sik did not include Xuan Son in the starting lineup during the two training sessions in Viet Tri and Vientiane; the midfielder is likely to start on the bench in the match against Laos on November 19th.
Nguyen Xuan Son is unlikely to start in the Vietnam vs. Laos match in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, despite having recovered from injury and returning to full training. The clearest indication: he was not included in the starting lineup in either of the two recent training sessions.
Signs from tactical training sessions
Based on observations from recent training sessions, both when the coaching staff divided the team for a practice match at Viet Tri Stadium and the latest training session in Vientiane, Xuan Son was not included in the starting lineup. This is a significant basis for the possibility that he will start on the bench.
Maintaining a familiar lineup structure before an official match helps the team optimize teamwork, especially in the midfield – an area that demands constant pace and high connectivity between positions.
Think cautiously about those who have just returned.
Xuan Son has just been recalled to the team after nearly a year of complete injury treatment. Although the Brazilian-born player insists he is ready to play at a high intensity, the coaching staff's cautious approach to reduce the risk of injury recurrence is understandable given that the team is not forced to take risks from the start.
The immediate priority might be players who have maintained good form recently, thereby keeping the midfield running smoothly.
Option of use: come on in the second half
The logical scenario being considered is that Xuan Son will come on in the second half, depending on the situation. This is the right time to control his workload while also exploiting his ability to make a difference in a game where the outcome is already decided.
Adjusting the midfield personnel in the second half also opened up more flexible tactical options for coach Kim Sang Sik, from enhancing ball control to strengthening transitions, depending on the requirements of the match.
Match context and preparation plan
The Vietnamese national team will hold its final training session today (November 17th) to finalize the last details of their tactics before facing the Laotian national team on the evening of November 19th. The goal is to secure all three points, while ensuring the best physical and mental condition for both the starting lineup and strategic reserve players like Xuan Son.
Key points
- Xuan Son has recovered but was not included in the starting lineup for the two training sessions in Viet Tri and Vientiane.
- The coaching staff tends to be cautious, prioritizing the midfield core that is maintaining the game's rhythm.
- The most likely scenario: Xuan Son will be on the bench and may be brought on in the second half, depending on the developments.
- The Vietnam vs. Laos match, part of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, will be played on the evening of November 19th; the team will have its final training session on November 17th.
