Nam Dinh, 11 June, 2025 – After missing Vietnam’s 0-4 defeat to Malaysia due to injury, midfielder Nguyen Xuan Son has publicly declared his determination to return stronger and help Vietnam reverse the result in the decisive return leg of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Vietnam suffered a heavy blow in the second match of Group F, falling to a dominant Malaysia side. The absence of key players, including Xuan Son, was deeply felt as coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad struggled to withstand the physicality and quality of Malaysia’s naturalized stars.
The rematch between the two teams is scheduled for March 31, 2026, and that date now holds special significance for Xuan Son. On his personal social media, the midfielder posted the caption “31/3/2026,” signaling his target date for a full comeback and his determination to help Vietnam seek redemption on home soil.
By AFC regulations, if two teams are level on points, the head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker. Therefore, if Vietnam wins all of their remaining matches and defeats Malaysia by five goals or more in the final group match, they will top the group and earn a direct ticket to the Asian Cup finals.
Before that crucial showdown, Vietnam will resume their qualifying campaign in October 2025 with a double-header against Nepal—first away, then at home. These fixtures will be key in building momentum and securing maximum points ahead of the March 2026 battle with Malaysia.
With the return of influential players like Xuan Son, the home advantage, and lessons learned from the crushing loss in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam remains determined to fight until the final whistle in their pursuit of a place at the 2027 Asian Cup finals.
Hong Phuc
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