Laos vs Vietnam 7:00 PM: Xuan Son on the bench, aiming for 3 points.
At 7:00 PM today, the Vietnam national team will play away against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, broadcast live on VTV5. Xuan Son is on the bench; coach Kim Sang Sik is expected to give opportunities to Viet Cuong and Khong Minh Gia Bao.
At 7:00 PM on November 19, 2025, at the Laotian National Stadium, the Vietnamese national team will play against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Xuan Son will start on the bench. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team aims for three points to maintain their pursuit of Malaysia in Group F. The match will be broadcast live on VTV5.
Context and objectives
The history of head-to-head encounters and the superior quality of the Vietnamese national team give them the goal of a resounding victory against Laos, thereby keeping alive their hopes of competing for the top spot in Group F with Malaysia. Before the AFC makes its final ruling on whether they are awarded a win, the team still needs to perform well on the field.
Personnel: Xuan Son on the bench, opportunities for new recruits.
Naturalized striker Xuan Son expressed his willingness to play the full 90 minutes, but the decision rests with the head coach. Given his start on the bench, the logical scenario is that he could be brought on at an appropriate time to create a breakthrough.
This is also an opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik to test out new players. Two names that have attracted attention are:
- Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong (attacking): an option to increase speed and the ability to penetrate the Laotian defense.
- Khong Minh Gia Bao (center back): a choice that helps refresh the defensive line, serving the purpose of rotating the squad.
Facing a weaker opponent is a suitable opportunity to test the quality of the new recruits in an official match, while also preserving their physical fitness for the next stage of the qualifying round.
Predicted lineup
| Team | Player |
|---|---|
| Laos | Lokphathip, Wenpaserth, Phetviengsy, Somsanith, Xaysombath, Sangvilay, Lueanthala, Khounthoumphone, Thongkhamsavath, Souvany, Bounkong |
| Vietnam | Van Lam, Xuan Manh, Tien Dung, Duy Manh, Pendant Quang Vinh, Bao Toan, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Thanh Long, Viet Cuong, Tien Linh |
The above list is provisional and may be adjusted depending on the actual course of the match.
Match information
| Time | 7:00 PM, November 19, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Lao National Stadium |
| Tournament | 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers |
| Live channel | VTV5 |
Impact and next steps
Three points against Laos would help the Vietnamese national team maintain their competitive edge in Group F, avoiding dependence on non-professional factors while awaiting the final decision from the AFC.
Immediately after the match concludes, coach Kim Sang Sik will return to Vietnam and begin assembling the U22/U23 team to prepare for the SEA Games. According to the plan, the team will gather in Vung Tau (Ho Chi Minh City) on November 23rd before departing for Thailand on December 2nd.
Professional perspective
A match against a weaker opponent often demands focus on transitions and discipline in controlling the tempo. With the goal of a convincing victory, combining experienced players (Van Lam, Hoang Duc, Quang Hai) with experimental talents like Viet Cuong and Khong Minh Gia Bao could help the team secure the result while also building up personnel options for the long haul.
