Nguyễn Xuân Son sidelined with minor injury

Striker Nguyễn Xuân Son has missed recent matches for Thép Xanh Nam Định due to a minor injury, raising concerns regarding his availability for the Vietnam national team ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

After being used only as a substitute in the opening round against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, the naturalized forward was left out of the squad entirely for the match against SHB Đà Nẵng. Nam Định's coaching staff and head coach Vũ Hồng Việt clarified that the player is suffering from a minor injury and the club decided not to risk his condition.

If recovery proceeds smoothly, Xuân Son is expected to return to full fitness soon. His presence is considered vital for coach Kim Sang-sik's offensive strategy, as his physical strength and ability to draw defenders create space for teammates like Quang Hải and Hoàng Đức.