Vietnam team plans to attend World Cup, VFF wants to have many Xuan Sons?

Aiming for bigger goals after winning the AFF Cup, the Vietnam Football Federation ( VFF) is ready to create conditions for the Vietnamese national team to add naturalized players with a desire to contribute after the case of Nguyen Xuan Son.

The 2024 AFF Cup championship witnessed the brilliant performance of striker Nguyen Xuan Son, the first naturalized star to be called up to the Vietnam National Team to participate in an official tournament. Xuan Son's success promises to open the door to wearing the Vietnam National Team shirt for many other foreign players who are eligible for naturalization and have the desire to contribute to the national team.

Regarding the addition of naturalized players, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu shared: "We will not limit the number of naturalized players on the national team, but to make the national team strong, the core is domestic players and young players. Indonesia has loopholes in its naturalization policy and leaves a negative effect on domestic football. But that is their choice, I do not judge right or wrong, I just want to say that they will learn from experience."

Mr. Tran Anh Tu revealed that VFF is supporting Jason Quang Vinh Pendant with the naturalization procedures. VFF considers Quang Vinh as the name that the Vietnam National Team needs for the left-back position, when Doan Van Hau is out for a long time and has not yet set a return date. He also affirmed that in addition to discovering a foreign player with high skills, the first important step for that player to be naturalized and called up to the national team is the determination of the home club.

"Nguyen Xuan Son is the result of Nam Dinh FC's naturalization efforts. But not all clubs are like that. Patrik Le Giang is also a talented Vietnamese goalkeeper but does not have citizenship. If CAHN and TP.HCM FC do not proceed, VFF cannot force him" - VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu shared.

After winning the Southeast Asian championship, Vietnamese football is aiming for higher goals such as affirming its position in Asia or participating in the World Cup: "The Prime Minister has directed the VFF on the football development plan. The roadmap for 2030 and the vision for 2045 are being built. During that period, the Vietnamese team was assigned the target of entering the top 16 to 10 in Asia and winning a place to participate in the World Cup finals. However, the VFF alone cannot do it, we need the cooperation of the whole football industry, specifically the clubs."

In the immediate future, after the ASEAN Cup 2024, the Vietnamese team will participate in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, with 6 matches spread over 6 FIFA Day sessions (March, June, September, October, November and March 2026). Coach Kim and his team are in the same group as Malaysia, Nepal and Laos, with the goal of winning the top spot to secure the only ticket to the finals.

Compared to the ASEAN Cup, the journey in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers is clearly smoother. The Vietnamese team is far stronger than Nepal and Laos, while Malaysia has long been no longer an obstacle.

At the 2024 ASEAN Cup, Malaysia lost to Thailand and drew with Singapore and Cambodia. Despite being short of players due to Johor Darul Ta'zim refusing to release players and the absence of some naturalized and foreign players, this is still no excuse for the Malaysians' defeat.

The challenge, if any, will be the trip to Bukit Jalil Stadium, where playing in front of thousands of Malaysian fans is never easy. However, the Vietnamese team has won here before, and also won against Thailand right on their opponent's home field.

The key in 2025 is not only the Asian Cup qualifying campaign but also an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik to restructure the Vietnamese team, with the biggest goal being the 2030 World Cup qualifying round (starting in 2027). Winning the Southeast Asian championship is difficult, leading the team through the transition period is much more difficult. This is truly the challenge, the most valuable measure of coach Kim Sang-sik's ability.

The Vietnamese team has returned to the top of Southeast Asia, but let's be frank: this is not a truly new team. Mr. Kim has made good use of the veteran resources from the time of Coach Park Hang-seo with old faces such as Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Tien Dung, Duy Manh, Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung, Tien Linh, combined with seeds transplanted from V.League such as Ngoc Tan, Ngoc Quang, Dinh Trieu, Xuan Son, Van Vi and young factors such as Vi Hao, Van Khang.

Xuan Son caused a stir on the day he was discharged from the hospital, unexpectedly surpassing Son Tung, revealing more shocking news Phi Yến14:25:12 25/01/2025Xuan Son was just discharged from the hospital after a period of treatment for a leg injury. On the day he returned home, he repeated an action that made many people cry.