Vietnam striker Nguyen Xuan Son will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, leaving 19-year-old Williams Minh Hoang in contention for a bigger role after an impressive FIFA ASEAN Cup debut.

Vietnam extended its unbeaten run to 27 matches with a tense victory over the Philippines, while three debutants offered encouragement for a squad stretched by injuries and fatigue.

Vietnam’s opening win came with a setback: Xuan Son faces at least one to two months out, while he and captain Hoang Duc were selected for post-match doping tests.

Vietnam took three points from a difficult opening match against the Philippines, with Dinh Bac scoring the winner and a late offside decision denying the visitors an equalizer.

Vietnam opens its FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign against the Philippines on September 26, with coach Kim Sang Sik targeting the title despite injuries in his squad.

Vietnam midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai has withdrawn from the national squad with an ankle injury, ruling him out of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

Vietnam reached the Asian Games men’s football quarterfinals despite a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan, benefiting from the Philippines’ 2-1 victory over Kuwait in the other Group C match.

Vietnam U23 need only a draw against Uzbekistan to reach the Asian Games quarterfinals, but their final group match could prove an important test of the team’s ambitions to go much further.

Vietnam and Thailand have named their 23-man squads for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, strengthening their lineups ahead of a highly anticipated rematch in Indonesia.

Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik is preparing his squad amid mounting injury concerns for the FIFA ASEAN Cup, where a rematch with Thailand awaits as the Thai federation reportedly moves to extend Anthony Hudson’s contract.

Vietnam’s U23 team drew 1-1 with Kuwait’s under-23 team in their opening Group C match of the men’s football tournament at the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 2026) in Nagoya, Japan, on September 15.

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson is facing criticism from former international Datsakorn Thonglao and fans over his squad selections ahead of another regional showdown with Vietnam.

Vietnam U23 enter their Asian Games opener against Kuwait as favorites, hoping recent success in Asian football can translate into a winning start in Nagoya.

Thailand are bringing back Chanathip Songkrasin and other leading stars for another showdown with Vietnam, who are waiting to see whether key midfielder Hoang Duc can recover in time.

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson has the freedom to call up his best players during the FIFA international window, but identifying the right 23 is another matter.

Only 15 of Vietnam U23’s 23 players took part in training on September 12, with the rest unable to join the squad because of club commitments.

Vietnam national football coach Kim Sang Sik has returned to South Korea after his father died in Busan at the age of 84, the Vietnam Football Federation said.

Vietnam’s squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup is unlikely to contain many surprises, but several returning players could give coach Kim Sang Sik more options and raise hopes of significant changes.

Vietnam U23 head to the Asian Games with the quarterfinals firmly in sight, but the tournament could prove even more important for players hoping to become the country’s next senior internationals.