The Pain of Xuan Son's Loss and the Tactical Gamble Against Thailand

The Pain of Xuan Son's Loss and the Tactical Gamble Against Thailand

The absence of Xuan Son is not just a loss in personnel, but a test of coach Kim Sang Sik's tactical resilience against the eternal rival Thailand.

In the early morning of September 28, at the hotel where the Vietnam national team is based in Bandung, the atmosphere was noticeably heavier than usual. Xuan Son, the hero of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final, walked to the airport shuttle in silence amidst his teammates. The hamstring injury sustained during the hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Philippines on September 26 forced him to leave the tournament earlier than expected. According to the team's medical department, the striker needs 4-6 weeks to fully recover, meaning he will miss the rest of the group stage.

The moment Xuan Son departed carried the anxiety of millions of Vietnamese fans. Coach Kim Sang Sik, known for his composure, could not hide his emotions at the pre-match press conference. "Personally, I feel very heartbroken, and this is also a great loss for the whole team," he said, his voice lowering. "I want to send my apologies to Vietnamese football fans in general and Nam Dinh Club in particular about this incident." This is not a usual diplomatic apology. For a Korean coach, publicly taking responsibility before the media for a player's injury is rare in Southeast Asian football, where performance pressure often leads managers to conceal information.

Tactically, the loss of Xuan Son leaves a difficult-to-fill void in Kim Sang Sik's 4-4-2 formation. In the last 3 matches, Xuan Son was not only the attacking spearhead but also the first link in the high pressing block. He averaged 17.3 pressing actions per 90 minutes and 4.2 ball recoveries in the final third, the best numbers among the team's strikers. When Xuan Son left the field in the 34th minute against the Philippines, the Vietnam national team nearly lost its ability to apply pressure from the front line, forcing the defensive line to drop deeper and exposing gaps in front of the penalty area. It was not until the 78th minute, thanks to a quick counterattack by Tien Linh, that the team scored the decisive goal.

Coach Kim Sang Sik did not hide the difficulties. "Thailand possesses players with individual skills and technique among the best in Southeast Asia, their midfielders play creatively. Our defense will face difficulties," he admitted. However, the Korean strategist immediately gave a positive signal: "Through video clips, I have studied the opponent very carefully. At the 2026 ASEAN Cup, we met them in the final, so we know their strengths as well as where the weaknesses can be exploited." This shows that the Vietnam national team is not shaken despite missing a key player.

In fact, in the two legs of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final, Thailand exposed a fatal weakness: poor counter-attack defense. They often push their formation high to control the ball, but when losing possession in midfield, their defensive system reveals many gaps. Indonesian media, especially Bola, pointed this out: "Thailand plays possession football but is quite fragile in defending against counterattacks. This caused them to fail in both legs of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final against Vietnam." Vietnam's 4-2 aggregate victory in the 2026 final came from precisely those lightning counterattacks, exploiting the space behind Thailand's defense.

With Xuan Son absent, Coach Kim Sang Sik may switch to a 5-3-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on counter-attacking defense. Tien Linh, who scored the decisive goal against the Philippines, is likely to be chosen as the lone striker, with support from Hoang Duc and Quang Hai behind him. This change is not just a temporary solution, but a tactical gamble by Kim Sang Sik, because Thailand with its highly technical midfield will control more of the ball, requiring Vietnam to defend patiently and counterattack effectively.

According to data from VuaBong.vn, in the last 5 matches without Xuan Son in the starting lineup, Vietnam has won only 2, drawn 2, and lost 1, with average goalscoring efficiency dropping from 2.1 to 1.2 goals per match. This further highlights the important role of the naturalized striker in Kim Sang Sik's attacking system.

More worrying is the psychological issue. Matches against Thailand always carry special pressure for any Vietnamese player. In the past, Vietnam has lost themselves against Thailand due to psychological pressure more than once, even with personnel advantages. This time, without Xuan Son, that pressure is even greater, forcing the remaining players to bear a heavier responsibility.

However, not everything is bad news. In football, sometimes the absence of a star opens opportunities for new factors. Tien Linh, with stable form in Becamex Binh Duong colors, has proven he is not just a shadow of Xuan Son. The goal against the Philippines was a strong affirmation from the 28-year-old striker, who has always been rated lower than his naturalized colleague. This change also forces Kim Sang Sik to adjust tactics in a more flexible direction, rather than depending on a specific individual.

Another bright spot is the defense. In the match against the Philippines, the center-back duo Duy Manh and Viet Anh played with focus, keeping a clean sheet in the second half despite facing great pressure. With the cover of Hong Duy and Tan Tai on the flanks, Vietnam can switch to a deep defensive block, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. This is a plan that Kim Sang Sik has used successfully in the past, especially in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final in Viet Tri.

The match at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium tonight (September 29) not only decides the top spot in Group B but is also a test of Coach Kim Sang Sik's adaptability. Missing Xuan Son from the lineup is an undeniable disadvantage, but football always has room for surprises. Can Tien Linh shine? Can Vietnam's defense stand firm against Thailand's attack? And does Kim Sang Sik have enough courage to make the right tactical decisions in the most difficult moment?

Indonesian media have made notable predictions. Bola stated: "Vietnam has achieved a win rate of up to 87% under Coach Kim Sang Sik. Thailand is very confident they can settle the score after the 4-0 win over Pakistan, but remember, Vietnam has won 3 of the last 4 matches against Thailand." CNN Indonesia also emphasized the importance of the match: "The winner of the upcoming match will secure a ticket to the final."

From the perspective of someone who follows the team, I believe this is the time for the collective's mettle to speak. Xuan Son's absence is a great loss, but it is also an opportunity for other players to assert their value. Vietnam under Kim Sang Sik has proven they are not a one-man team. Team spirit, defensive organization, and lightning counterattacks remain the most powerful weapons of the "Golden Star Warriors."

When the opening whistle sounds at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Vietnam will not have Xuan Son in the lineup. But they have head-to-head history, careful preparation, and above all the desire to win against their eternal rival. This match is not just a race for points, but a battle for identity and belief.