Rajamangala Stadium holds two dramatically different memories for Nguyen Xuan Son: one of Vietnam’s greatest nights and one of the most painful moments of his career.

Two years ago, the striker suffered a broken leg during the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2024 final against Thailand at the Bangkok stadium. Vietnam went on to win 3-2 and lift the trophy, but Xuan Son began a rehabilitation journey that kept him away from competitive football for nearly a year.

On August 22, he returns to Rajamangala for another final against the same opponent.

This time, Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik has given the 29-year-old an ambitious mission: score three goals across the two legs of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final.

Why three goals?

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Coach Kim Sang Sik has challenged Xuan Son to score three goals across the two final matches against Thailand.

Kim revealed the challenge after Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 at My Dinh Stadium on August 19 to secure their place in the final.

It is a formidable target, particularly against an opponent that knows exactly how dangerous Xuan Son can be.

At the previous ASEAN Cup, when he was at the height of his form, Xuan Son scored twice against Thailand in Vietnam’s 2-1 first-leg victory. His involvement in the return match ended prematurely because of the serious injury.

Had he remained on the field, he might have added to that tally.

This time, Thailand can be expected to give him special attention.

Yet Xuan Son’s form explains why Kim is putting his faith in the striker.

He has five goals at ASEAN Cup 2026, level with Nguyen Dinh Bac.

While Dinh Bac has gone two matches without scoring despite playing the full 90 minutes in both, Xuan Son struck three times across Vietnam’s two semifinal matches against Malaysia.

No other Vietnam player scored in those two games.

Combined with his previous record against Thailand, that makes Xuan Son the player Kim is looking to most heavily for goals in the final.

The challenge also appears to be a calculated piece of motivation.

Commentator Quang Huy believes Kim is trying to push the striker ahead of the biggest matches of the tournament.

“Xuan Son may not quite be the player he was two years ago, but whatever task he is given, he remains an effective goalscorer,” Quang Huy said. “Kim Sang Sik saying that is a way to motivate him.”

Two records within reach

Three goals would give Xuan Son much more than personal satisfaction.

He finished the previous ASEAN Cup as the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals.

With five already this year, three more would take him to eight and establish a new personal best.

Another Southeast Asian football record is also within reach.

Xuan Son currently has eight goals in the knockout stages across two ASEAN Cup campaigns, putting him level with former Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda.

Any further goals would take him beyond the Thai great.

More importantly, three goals could go a long way toward helping Vietnam successfully defend their regional title, something the national team has never previously achieved.

Returning to where everything changed

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Xuan Son (middle).

The setting gives the final an added emotional dimension.

During Vietnam’s training session at Rajamangala on August 21, Xuan Son appeared thoughtful as he walked onto the ground where his previous ASEAN Cup campaign had ended so painfully.

His teammate Hai Long had very different memories.

Hai Long scored the final goal in Vietnam’s 3-2 victory at Rajamangala two years ago, striking from around the halfway line to seal a famous win.

For Xuan Son, however, the stadium became associated with months of recovery.

Nearly a year was required before he could return to football.

Now he is back as Vietnam’s leading attacking threat.

Vietnam arrive with firepower

Xuan Son is not the only reason Vietnam travel to Bangkok with confidence.

Kim’s side has the strongest attack at ASEAN Cup 2026 with 17 goals.

The defense has been equally impressive, conceding only once and recording five clean sheets.

Vietnam’s squad depth has also allowed Kim to rotate heavily without losing effectiveness.

He changed five positions between the two semifinal matches against Malaysia, yet Vietnam remained composed and won the second leg 2-0.

Kim has several attacking combinations involving Xuan Son, Dinh Bac, Hoang Hen, Hai Long and others.

That competition is something the South Korean coach welcomes.

“Xuan Son and Dinh Bac have both done very well in carrying out their responsibilities, giving everything in matches,” Kim said. “Not only Xuan Son and Dinh Bac, but all the other players are working extremely hard for the national team. This healthy competition will make us better and help us win the final.”

Thailand know the danger

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson said he had not heard about Kim’s three-goal challenge when asked about it before the match.

“I haven’t heard that Vietnam’s coach said his player would score a hat-trick,” Hudson said.

He nevertheless acknowledged the quality of the defending champions.

“If you look at the entire Vietnam team, they have very good quality, both individually and collectively,” he said. “They are extremely well organized and tactically very well coached. They are genuinely a strong opponent.”

Hudson suggested Vietnam may even enter the final as the team carrying greater expectations.

“On paper, you could say they are the favorites,” he said.

But Kim has made clear that Vietnam will not approach the first leg merely hoping to survive.

“This is another opportunity for Vietnam to write a new chapter in history, and we certainly do not want to miss it,” he said. “We will fight with the pride of the Vietnam national team and with the desire to become champions.”

For Xuan Son, that pursuit begins at the stadium where his career took its most painful turn.

Two years later, Rajamangala offers him a very different possibility: goals, records, redemption and another championship.

The first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final between Thailand and Vietnam kicks off at 8 p.m. on August 22 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. The return leg will be played at My Dinh Stadium on August 26.

Dai Nam