Vietnam kick off ASEAN Cup with Philippines win but sweat on Xuan Son injury

Vietnam kicked off their FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Philippines, courtesy of Nguyen Dinh Bac's 25th-minute strike. However, the joy of securing three points was short-lived as captain Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a serious hamstring injury, forcing him off on a stretcher in the 60th minute.

Hard-fought victory and the impact of new faces

The biggest highlight of the opening goal was the sublime assist from 1.90m British-Vietnamese debutant Lee Williams Minh Hoang. This combination highlighted how quickly the new faces have integrated into the tactical setup.

In defence, goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang emerged as the hero, producing two world-class saves in the 54th minute and deep into stoppage time (90+2'). His brilliance papered over the defensive cracks to preserve the clean sheet and all three points.

VAR also played a decisive role, chalking off Nishioka's 85th-minute equaliser for offside. Earlier, in the 77th minute, a VAR review prompted the referee to overturn a red card initially shown to Philippines defender Nyholm.

Blow for Nguyen Xuan Son and Kim Sang-sik's tactical headache

An off-the-ball slip saw the Brazil-born striker clutch his hamstring before leaving the pitch in tears. This type of hamstring injury typically requires several weeks to fully heal, meaning Xuan Son faces a race against time and is highly likely to be ruled out of the rest of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign.

This is a massive blow to head coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical plans ahead of the crucial group-decider against Thailand on 29 September. Deprived of his most potent, self-sufficient target man, the South Korean tactician must find an urgent solution for an attacking line that has yet to fully gel.

Verdict and Analysis

A narrow 1-0 victory over the Philippines secured a vital three points for Vietnam in their opener, but the mood remains subdued. Nguyen Xuan Son's hamstring injury leaves a gaping void upfront, presenting manager Kim Sang-sik with a major selection headache ahead of the blockbuster clash with Thailand.

Without their star talisman, the national team's tactical blueprint requires a complete overhaul. Who do you think Kim Sang-sik should deploy to fill Xuan Son's boots against Thailand?