Xuan Son scores a hat-trick as Nam Dinh wins 3-0 against Shan United.

Nguyen Xuan Son capped off a perfect night with a decisive turn and finish to complete his hat-trick, securing a 3-0 victory for Nam Dinh against Shan United in the Southeast Asian Champions League (Shopee Cup). That moment came right after the home team was reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute, perfectly illustrating the Vietnamese national team striker's goal-scoring instinct on his return.

Match developments: the turning point from the penalty spot.

Shan United started the match with high-pressure pressing, stifling Nam Dinh's attack for much of the first half. The turning point came in the 45th minute when Van Vi earned a penalty. From the penalty spot, Xuan Son calmly converted to open the scoring, relieving pressure and creating a clear psychological momentum for the second half.

After the break, Nam Dinh played more fluidly and at a faster pace. Brenner's appearance quickly made a difference: a burst of speed followed by a perfectly placed cross allowed Xuan Son to rush in and finish, increasing the score to 2-0. In the 81st minute, Mark Sekyi received a red card, leaving Shan United with only 10 men and further disrupting their defense. Taking advantage of the situation, Xuan Son completed his hat-trick with a neat finish inside the penalty area, sealing the match.

Tactical analysis: early pressure, adjustments after halftime.

Shan United's high-pressure tactics forced Nam Dinh to play defensively for most of the first half. A crucial penalty goal broke the deadlock and shifted the initiative. After the break, the Nam Dinh team increased the tempo, exploiting the flanks and Brenner's speed to attack the space behind the home team's defense. When Shan United were reduced to ten men, Nam Dinh increased their directness, quickly moving the ball into the penalty area, where Xuan Son completed his hat-trick.

The difference from a center forward

Xuan Son's three goals all came at psychologically crucial moments: opening the scoring before halftime, doubling the lead as the attack intensified, and sealing the victory after a red card in the 81st minute. On his return from injury, his positioning and one-touch finishing were key to Nam Dinh's attacking effectiveness.

Selective statistics

• Score: Shan United 0-3 Nam Dinh
• Goalscorer: Nguyen Xuan Son (hat-trick; opening goal from a penalty in the 45th minute)
• Red card: Mark Sekyi (Shan United) in the 81st minute.
• Award: Xuan Son – Man of the Match

Post-match reaction

After receiving the Best Player award, Xuan Son sent a message to his fans:"Hello everyone. Son is very happy to be back with the whole team. Even better, I scored a goal and the team won. Let's look forward to the next match together. Come on, Nam Dinh Green Steel!"

Impact

The 3-0 victory not only boosted Nam Dinh's confidence in the Shopee Cup but also marked an impressive return for Xuan Son. A hat-trick, an individual award, and a well-timed performance – enough to put the team on a positive trajectory ahead of the next stage.