Vietnam captain Nguyen Xuan Son ruled out of ASEAN Cup ahead of Thailand clash

Vietnam have been dealt a massive blow just after their opening 1-0 victory over the Philippines in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. In the 60th minute, captain and star striker Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a grade-two hamstring tear and was forced off on a stretcher.

An MRI scan confirmed the Brazil-born forward faces four to six weeks on the sidelines. This severe injury officially rules Xuan Son out of the tournament, right on the eve of the crucial showdown against Thailand on 29 September.

Nguyen Xuan Son injury blow rocks Vietnam in Bandung

In the 57th minute of the match against the Philippines, Nguyen Xuan Son was on the receiving end of a dangerous challenge from Aguinaldo Amani. Despite trying to play through the pain, the striker pulled up with a hamstring injury following a sprint in the 60th minute.

An MRI scan on the morning of 27 September confirmed a grade-two hamstring tear, forcing him into a four-to-six-week layoff.

On 28 September, the Brazil-born frontman officially left the national team camp to return home for treatment, bringing a premature end to his historic campaign as Vietnam captain.

Huge setback ahead of crucial Thailand clash

Losing Nguyen Xuan Son deprives Vietnam of their premier centre-forward and talismanic leader ahead of the Group B decider against Thailand on 29 September. This presents a major tactical headache for head coach Kim Sang-sik, with Vietnam currently sitting second on three points (goal difference of +1), trailing their rivals (+4).

Hopes of reclaiming top spot now rest on the return of captain Nguyen Hoang Duc and the form of Nguyen Dinh Bac to fill the void in attack.

Verdict & Tactical Outlook

Losing their star centre-forward ahead of such a massive clash is a devastating blow to Vietnam's title ambitions. Fans across the country have sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Nguyen Xuan Son, hoping to see him return stronger to pull on the red shirt once again.

Who do you think head coach Kim Sang-sik should deploy to replace Nguyen Xuan Son for the clash against Thailand?