Vietnam 2-0 Laos: Coach Ha Hyeok Jun failed to closely mark Xuan Son.
Coach Ha Hyeok Jun said he had anticipated Xuan Son coming on at the start of the second half but still instructed the team to maintain the same style of play as in the first half; Vietnam then scored from the penalty spot and sealed the victory in injury time.
Vietnam defeated Laos 2-0 in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers after two crucial moments: first when Xuan Son came on at the start of the second half and again in injury time. Although admitting he had anticipated the naturalized striker's presence, coach Ha Hyeok Jun insisted he didn't instruct his players to man-mark, but instead maintained the same focused style of play as in the first half.
The turning point after the break.
Laos defended tightly and organized well in the first 45 minutes, limiting Vietnam's attacking space. The situation changed immediately after the break when Xuan Son was brought on. From about 11 meters, he powerfully struck the ball to open the scoring, creating a turning point for the home team.
In injury time, a mistake from the Laotian goalkeeper created an opportunity for Tuan Hai to unleash a spectacular volley, sealing a 2-0 victory.
Coach Ha Hyeok Jun's explanation
Speaking after the match, coach Ha Hyeok Jun said he had considered the possibility of Vietnam bringing Xuan Son onto the field early in the second half, but chose to maintain the team's defensive structure and composure.
He said: "We knew there was a high chance Xuan Son would be brought on. I mentioned this during halftime. But I also told the players not to focus too much on Xuan Son. Just continue playing like you did in the first half."
Maintain discipline instead of pursuing personal interests.
The decision not to tightly mark Xuan Son showed Laos' priority was maintaining their defensive formation and spacing, avoiding disruption from a substitution by their opponent. This approach helped Laos hold firm in the first half, but once their momentum was broken by the opening goal, they were unable to regain control.
Xuan Son and the mark of her return.
Nguyen Xuan Son has just returned after nearly a year of treatment for a broken leg injury sustained in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final against Thailand. During a dribbling and crossing play, his leg bent in a dangerous position, forcing him to leave the field urgently.
A long-term injury put Xuan Son at risk of losing his rhythm. When he was recalled for the match against Laos, the coaching staff emphasized that they couldn't place too much expectation on him because he needed time to adapt. However, immediately after coming on, the naturalized striker made his mark with a penalty kick, marking an emotional return.
Main developments
- First half: Laos defended tightly, maintained focus, and caused many difficulties for Vietnam.
- At the start of the second half, Xuan Son was brought on, and Vietnam opened the scoring with a penalty kick.
- In injury time: The Laotian goalkeeper made a mistake, and Tuan Hai volleyed the ball in to seal the 2-0 victory.
Impact of the results
The 2-0 victory gave Vietnam a good start in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, and also marked a notable return for Xuan Son after a long-term injury. For Laos, the first 45 minutes showed an organized defensive plan; problems arose when they failed to maintain tactical discipline in crucial situations after the break.
