Commentator Quang Huy: Xuan Son's return, a boost for the Vietnam National Team
Commentator Vu Quang Huy commented that coach Kim Sang-sik called Nguyen Xuan Son back to check his ball feeling after injury and create competition in the attack; Do Hoang Hen is not yet FIFA qualified.
Commentator Vu Quang Huy said that coach Kim Sang-sik’s decision to call Nguyen Xuan Son back to the Vietnam national team was surprising but welcome. The main goal, according to him, was to test the striker’s adaptability and ball feel after nearly a year of injury treatment, rather than using him immediately in competition.
Professional signals and mental boost for the attack
In his commentary on the Quang Huy Story channel, commentator Vu Quang Huy said that Xuan Son's return has two layers of significance. Technically, the coaching staff needs to observe how he adapts to the intensity of the national team's training after a long break due to injury. Mentally, Xuan Son's presence can inspire and promote healthy competition for current options on the attack line such as Tuan Hai and Tien Linh, especially in the context of the Vietnamese national team's low scoring efficiency in the last two matches against Nepal.
According to the veteran commentator, this is the right time for the team to add internal motivation, thereby refreshing the atmosphere in the locker room and increasing the quality of training sessions. However, using Xuan Son immediately was not a priority for coach Kim Sang-sik during the recent training session.
Take your time: prioritize recovery and getting used to the rhythm
Commentator Vu Quang Huy recommends that Xuan Son should not play immediately. This striker needs more time to get used to the intensity of training and competition, before aiming to return to V-League in early 2026. A cautious approach helps limit risks and ensures that players have a more stable physical condition and feel for the ball when returning to high performance.
Do Hoang Hen and FIFA's legal framework
In addition to the interest in Xuan Son, fans also questioned why Do Hoang Hen – a naturalized Brazilian player with high performance in V-League – has not been called up. Commentator Vu Quang Huy explained that the core reason lies in legal factors: according to FIFA regulations, naturalized players need to have a minimum of 5 consecutive years of residence since registering to play professionally to be eligible to play for the national team.
Coach Kim Sang-sik is required to strictly comply with this regulation to avoid legal risks. Recent practice shows that violations related to naturalized players can lead to serious consequences: Malaysia had its appeal rejected by FIFA for using ineligible players and is at risk of being deducted points in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Overview: Choosing the balance between expertise and discipline
The recall of Nguyen Xuan Son shows the balanced orientation of the Vietnam National Team in the current period: paying attention to the need to strengthen the attack plan, while ensuring discipline and compliance with the international legal framework. Internal competition is promoted, but not at the expense of hastily using players who have just returned from injury.
With that approach, the coaching staff has more data to assess Xuan Son's readiness, while also sending a clear message to the whole team about professional standards: all personnel decisions must be based on physical condition, ball feel and legal constraints. In the short term, this is a mental boost for the attack; in the long term, it is a prudent step to build a sustainable foundation for the Vietnam national team.