Xuan Son tears calf, leaves FIFA ASEAN Cup early: Vietnam's No.9 puzzle ahead of Thailand

When the clock reached the 60th minute, Nguyen Xuan Son limped toward the sideline. He asked for a substitution. At that moment, head coach Kim Sang Sik had no choice but to bring on Nguyen Hai Long. Vietnam's opening match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 ended with a narrow 1-0 win over the Philippines, but the price paid was bigger than three points: the main striker suffered a torn calf and is likely to leave the tournament early. Initial diagnosis said Xuan Son needs at least one to two months of rest. In a competition lasting less than a month, Vietnam will have to play decisive matches without their number one forward. The joy of victory was not complete. Fans have every reason to worry. The biggest question is not simply who replaces Xuan Son, but how the whole attacking system built around a focal-point striker will function without him. At the AFF Cup 2026, Xuan Son became a symbol of Vietnamese football's success. He not only scored goals; he was the target of every final pass, the man who gave rhythm to the attack and a constant threat in front of goal. His scoring record in the national team shirt reflects rare weight. But football does not work based on individual profiles alone. Once the focal point is lost, the entire front line must be redesigned. Tactically, Xuan Son was not simply a finisher. He was the target man, the aerial reference, the player who dragged centre-backs out of position and created space for the wingers. When he left, Nguyen Hai Long came on. Hai Long is technical and good at controlling midfield tempo, but he does not have the goal-scoring instincts of a pure No.9. He tends to drop deep and participate in build-up play rather than attack the penalty box. That forces Vietnam to shift from a direct style to more possession-based control in midfield. Kim Sang Sik now faces a puzzle with no perfect solution. He could use Nguyen Dinh Bac, a young, quick forward with good dribbling skills, to fill the central striker role. But Dinh Bac lacks big-game experience, especially against Thailand where psychological pressure is always intense. Another option is playing without a natural striker, using Hai Long as a false nine and relying on wide forwards for creativity and direct runs. The danger is even bigger when Thailand are the next opponent. Thailand usually plays compact, disciplined and tight against strong teams. Without a reliable finisher inside the box, breaking down a deep defensive block becomes far more difficult. Long-range shots, set pieces and quick counter-attacks will become the main weapons. But the conversion rate of chances will inevitably drop. Based on my experience following Vietnam's matches, I notice something rarely said: the dependency on Xuan Son has existed for a long time, and this injury does not create a new weakness, it exposes an old one. In short tournaments, a team is only truly strong when it has more than one scoring option. Putting all the responsibility on one striker, no matter how good he is, is a gamble. Now that gamble has come due. I could also be wrong. If Kim Sang Sik already had a plan without Xuan Son, if Hai Long or Dinh Bac can shine at exactly the right time, this shock could become an opportunity for Vietnam to diversify. But to make that happen, the whole team must change its mindset: there is no one to rely on, every ball must be handled with collective responsibility. From another angle, Xuan Son's injury also raises financial and management concerns. He belongs to Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, a well-funded club but one that will still suffer when an important player is sidelined. For a 28-year-old striker, a soft-tissue calf injury carries a real risk of recurrence. His transfer value and peak-year lifespan will be affected if recovery is not managed carefully. In media terms, this story will dominate Vietnamese football forums for the next week or two. FPT Play, the tournament's broadcaster, must also rethink its narrative when the host team's biggest star is no longer on the pitch. Losing a main striker reduces commercial appeal, but it also opens the door for new names to emerge. The real hero of the next match may be a young player rarely mentioned, not the injured star. The match against Thailand is therefore more than a fight for three points. It is a test of Kim Sang Sik's courage, a test of squad depth, and a moment for fans to see the true nature of Vietnamese football: a team that knows how to adapt, or a team that only knows how to lean on one star. The final question remains open: when the lights go off, who will dare to take responsibility in place of Xuan Son?