Vietnam will face Thailand on September 29 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung with three points from its opener but a new problem in attack after Nguyen Xuan Son's injury. Before training on September 28, midfielder Nguyen Hai Long said the squad had reviewed footage of Thailand. He described the opponent as a cohesive side and said Vietnam's players were ready to share the responsibility left by Xuan Son's absence.

No confirmed replacement for Xuan Son

The Vietnam Football Federation confirmed a hamstring injury with an expected recovery of four to six weeks, ruling Xuan Son out of the rest of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Hai Long said the coaching staff would look for solutions, but neither a replacement nor a starting lineup has been announced. He came on after Xuan Son left the Philippines match; that substitution does not establish that he will play the striker's role against Thailand.

What the Philippines goal can and cannot show

The move in which Williams Minh Hoang crossed for Nguyen Dinh Bac's 25th-minute winner showed that Vietnam can create an opening from wide areas. Xuan Son was still on the pitch when that goal was scored, so the move does not show that an attack without him has already worked. Yet the 1-0 win also raises questions ahead of Thailand: who will provide a target in the penalty area, and can the team keep a route forward without leaving space when possession changes? The Philippines hit the bar and applied late pressure. Those are reasons to examine Vietnam's attacking and defensive balance, not evidence that Thailand will play in the same way.

Thailand manage their squad; the result remains open

Thailand opened with a 4-0 win over Pakistan. Coach Anthony Hudson subsequently stressed recovery and squad management during a crowded schedule. Chanathip Songkrasin was rested in the opener, but Hudson has not named his lineup for Vietnam. The differing margins in the two opening games came against different opponents and cannot predict the head-to-head result. Vietnam's test is to turn the readiness Hai Long described into clear attacking options while staying organized when Thailand wins the ball.

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