Without Xuan Son, Vietnam's attack looks visibly weaker – a field perspective

At night in Bandung, the final whistle sounded amid disappointment. Vietnam controlled most of the ball, but the scoreboard read 0-2 against Thailand in the decisive top-of-group match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Shortly after, expert Doan Minh Xuong said plainly: “Without Xuan Son, Vietnam's attack is clearly much weaker.” The pitch never lies; only spectators tell the truth. Xuan Son suffered an injury in the opening match. The naturalized striker provided what Vietnam had no backup for: ball retention, shielding, physical presence and a reference point for the players around him. With him absent, coach Kim Sang Sik placed Dinh Bac as the central striker. Dinh Bac has pace and technique, but a target-forward role is the opposite problem for him. Expert Doan Minh Xuong also pointed out that Vietnam entered the tournament with many issues, without a full-strength squad, and most players were not in the best physical condition. I have kept field notes since my days as a training-ground observer; at 22 I counted every ritual meter, at 31 I understand it is a promise. A national team can only promise something when preparation is done before the ball rolls. On the field, the match followed exactly the scenario Thailand wanted. They conceded control, stayed deep, closed central passing lanes. Sarach Yooyen opened the scoring from long range – a moment that looked lucky but was part of the plan to force Vietnam higher. After the goal, Chanathip played as a false nine, constantly leaving the central lane to pull centre-backs out. Thailand's defence always had an extra midfield layer in front. It was pragmatic football, not flashy but highly effective. Vietnam held the ball a lot, but most of it stopped in front of a packed defence. Tai Loc netted but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, a correct decision. The rest were mostly long-range shots without sharpness. Domination without goals usually comes when an attack lacks a striker who can turn, link and disrupt inside the box. Dinh Bac moved well, but he had no support from a structure built around his strengths. Based on my experience following matches, a team with more than 60% possession shooting mainly from outside the box is almost always missing a centre-forward who can pin the defence. The shortage became even clearer in midfield. Kim Sang Sik was forced to switch from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2, deploying left-back Cao Quang Vinh in central midfield. That reveals a shortage of specialized midfielders. In the second half, Hai Long and Hoang Duc came on and improved control, but the adjustment did not create a decisive edge. Doan Minh Xuong rated the attacking efficiency low; everyone ran hard, but pressure was not converted into clear chances. Thailand's football that night also showed a gap in squad depth. Their substitutions did not reduce defensive solidity, while Vietnam almost ran out of options. The difference was not a superstar; it was the number of players ready to enter and execute roles. In a long tournament, that is a strategic advantage. The angle that needs scrutiny: can this defeat be reduced to Xuan Son's absence? He matters, but a team entering with a patched-up squad, fitness problems and a thin midfield forced to use a full-back in the middle is a sign of preparation issues. The pole called Xuan Son hid several gaps; once it fell, the fence exposed them. Dinh Bac was criticized for a quiet game, but how players are used should also be questioned. Blaming a young player for failing to be a target striker in a squad with no Plan B is a cheap accusation. The training ground is a stage without spectators, where supporting actors rehearse as protagonists. When the role is given to the wrong person, seriousness cannot replace suitability. I do not write to be read; I write so the pitch has a witness – the witness for the players left behind, carrying a burden the system did not prepare them for. The lesson from this defeat is a demand: Vietnam need a different attacking plan, independent of Xuan Son. A like-for-like replacement is not required; what is needed is a style based on numbers, speed and moving the ball into the box. The coaching staff also need to review fitness, midfield depth, and domestic forwards emerging in V.League. Kazan taught me: tears do not belong to losers, they belong to those who remain. The beat-keeper must not fall asleep in the noise of cheering. The match is over, but tomorrow morning's training ground remains – where players answer with steps, passes and readiness for the next meeting with Thailand.