Xuan Son's hat-trick, Van Hau's comeback; Vietnam awaits Malaysia's arrival.
In two days, Doan Van Hau played 90 minutes for CAHN after a two-year absence; Nguyen Xuan Son scored a hat-trick against Shan United; and the Vietnam national team is looking forward to the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in Malaysia on March 26, 2026.
Two positive signs came in quick succession for the Vietnamese national team: Doan Van Hau returned to play the full 90 minutes for CAHN after a two-year absence, while Nguyen Xuan Son scored a hat-trick against Shan United in the Shopee Cup. The simultaneous return of these two key players brings both professional and morale benefits for the rematch against Malaysia on March 26, 2026, in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Two boosts in 48 hours
On the defensive front, Van Hau made his comeback in the CAHN jersey and played the full 90 minutes. His enthusiasm, willingness to engage in tackles, and excellent covering ability quickly resurfaced. When his team had possession, his runs down the wing and crosses created more attacking options for the forward line. Although not yet in his best physical condition, this performance is still a promising sign for coach Polking at CAHN as well as coach Kim Sang Sik of the Vietnam national team.
In attack, on the evening of December 4th, Xuan Son made his mark with a hat-trick against Shan United in the Shopee Cup. Having just returned from injury, the 1997-born striker showed excellent spatial awareness with his keen positioning and diverse finishing abilities. Prior to that, he also scored a goal on his return to the Vietnamese national team (against Laos).
Tactical significance: balancing both ends of the field.
Against Malaysia, the team needed a balance between attack and defense, between boldness and composure. Accordingly, Xuan Son brought sharpness to the front line: intelligent movement in the penalty area, versatile finishing, and the ability to choose the right moment to shoot. In the back half, Van Hau provided solidity: reading situations to provide cover, proactively engaging in tackles, and readily overlapping when needed to increase pressure.
When both players are in good form, the team's formation can be more flexible. Van Hau's runs down the wing and crosses help the team stretch the opponent horizontally, creating space between the lines. Up front, a striker with sharp movement like Xuan Son can exploit the space behind the defense or capitalize on second-ball opportunities in the penalty area.
Pace and discipline
The key lies in the tempo. Van Hau, with his strong tackling ability, can maintain a solid defensive structure during transitions, helping the midfield maintain a reasonable distance. This allows forwards like Xuan Son to focus on cutting inside runs, reducing the frequency of unnecessary deep runs.
Ahead of the Malaysia match: a test of balance.
The match on March 26, 2026, is considered crucial in the race for a place in the 2027 Asian Cup finals. At a time when a result is needed, the simultaneous return of Xuan Son and Van Hau not only adds tactical options but also boosts the team's morale. These two key players could make a difference in decisive moments.
Selective statistics
- Doan Van Hau: Returns to play, playing the full 90 minutes for CAHN after a two-year absence.
- Nguyen Xuan Son: scored a hat-trick against Shan United in the Shopee Cup; previously scored one goal on his return to the Vietnamese national team (against Laos).
- The crucial match: Vietnam national team vs. Malaysia on March 26, 2026, in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Immediate impact
Van Hau's presence strengthens the flanks and increases the security of the defensive system, while Xuan Son's goal-scoring form brings confidence to the attack. With both the mentality and structure stable, the Vietnamese national team has a strong basis to aim for a positive result.
