In preparation for the upcoming clash against Laos in the final round of 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on November 19, head coach Kim Sang Sik made the surprising decision to summon Nguyen Xuan Son back into the squad.

This decision has raised eyebrows among experts and fans alike, as Xuan Son has yet to fully return to competitive form following over 10 months of recovery from a leg fracture. He only recently returned to the pitch as a late substitute during a friendly between Thep Xanh Nam Dinh and PVF-CAND youth team.

Assessment rather than action?

Sources suggest that Xuan Son’s call-up may be more about medical evaluation than tactical intent. It’s likely that Kim Sang Sik wants national team doctors to assess the forward’s recovery progress firsthand.

Deploying the Brazilian-born striker at this point is widely seen as risky. Even his club, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, has only registered him to play in the second half of the 2025-2026 V-League season, starting January 2026.

Xuan Son himself has yet to speak publicly about his national team call-up. However, the 28-year-old did share a smiling photo of himself wearing the national team jersey on his personal social media, hinting at his excitement.

More Nam Dinh players get the call

Alongside Nguyen Xuan Son, defenders Nguyen Van Vi and Dang Van Toi, both from Nam Dinh FC, have also been included in the preliminary list for the upcoming training camp.

The official squad list is expected to be announced by coach Kim Sang Sik within the coming week.

According to the team’s schedule, the Vietnam national squad will gather from November 10 to 19, following the conclusion of Round 11 of the LPBank V-League 2025-2026 season.

The training will take place in Viet Tri (Phu Tho) from November 11 to 14, before the team travels to Laos for the match from November 15 to 19.

Dai Nam