Coach Mauro: Xuan Son's starting position was a good choice in the win against Long An.
Coach Mauro Jeronimo asserted that starting Xuan Son in Nam Dinh's victory over Long An in the National Cup was not risky, as the striker was in good form and the opponent played defensively.
Nam Dinh advanced in the National Cup, and the message from the technical area was clear: the decision to have Xuan Son start was reasonable, not a risk. Immediately after completing 45 minutes for the Vietnamese national team against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the striker returned and was named in the starting lineup for the win against Long An.
Why not take a risk?
Coach Mauro Jeronimo stated concisely but decisively: "There's no risk involved. He just played for the Vietnamese national team, and the two matches had many similarities. When facing an opponent who defends deep, the striker mainly operates around the penalty area, not needing to run as much as when facing a high-pressing formation."
That formed the basis for the decision to use Xuan Son from the start. The defensive formation against a deep-lying opponent helped the center reduce the amount of high-intensity movement required, allowing him to focus on winning tackles and waiting for opportunities in the 16.5-meter area – which suited his current physical condition.
Physical condition signals and center role
Xuan Son has just returned from a serious injury, but the internal message is positive. The Portuguese coach said: "He said he feels very well. This is important for Nam Dinh and for Vietnamese football as a whole. Xuan Son has prepared well and is confident to play the full match."
In direct competition with Brenner for the striker position, Xuan Son was given a chance in the National Cup. In this comeback, he embraced physical challenges, sought out space, and wasn't afraid to shoot. While he didn't score a goal, the positive effect on his match fitness and tempo is considered an important stepping stone.
Key developments and approaches
The decision to field Xuan Son in the starting lineup against Long Anh in the National Cup was initially surprising, but it fit perfectly with the tactical picture outlined by coach Mauro: prioritizing control, pushing the team forward, and imposing their dominance in the opponent's half. When the opponent plays defensively, the striker needs to be consistently present in the danger zone, rather than being drawn into high-intensity pressing all over the pitch.
Nam Dinh's playing style
Coach Mauro openly stated his philosophy: "Today everyone saw a part of what I want to achieve: the team controlling the ball, imposing their game, creating many opportunities, and playing most of the time in the opponent's half. The collective must prioritize the collective, and the style of play must be attractive enough to draw spectators to the stadium."
Within that framework, the role of the number 9 is crucial: locking down the lines, maintaining presence in front of the penalty area, and being ready to finish off second balls. What the team needs is continuous ball circulation and a sufficient density of opportunities; in that case, Xuan Son's presence is a logical piece of the puzzle.
Immediate and long-term impacts
The victory against Long An and Xuan Son's solid return brought two layers of value: depth in striker options for Nam Dinh, and another reliable choice for the Vietnamese national team if he maintains consistent fitness. In the short term, the "no-risk" decision turned out to be a way to reduce risk: using a fit player in the right game situation.
From here, the measure will be perseverance. If Xuan Son maintains his rhythm and recovers well after each match, Nam Dinh will have a stable foundation for the long term in building a control-oriented style of play, and the national team will have another sharp option in the center forward position.
