Xuân Son trains separately, teammate Tiến Linh confidently competes for starting position.

Naturalized striker Nguyễn Xuân Son must train separately with the group of newly arrived players joining the Vietnam national team.

On the afternoon of March 22, the Vietnam national team commenced its second training session during the March 2026 FIFA Days training camp, preparing for the international friendly match against Bangladesh (March 26) at Hàng Đẫy Stadium (Hanoi), before heading towards the rematch with Malaysia in the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup on March 31 at Thiên Trường Stadium (Ninh Bình).

During this training session, coach Kim Sang Sik welcomed an additional group of six players: Đặng Văn Lâm, Lê Ngọc Bảo, Trương Tiến Anh, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, Phạm Gia Hưng (Ninh Bình), and Khuất Văn Khang (Thể Công Viettel), after they completed their duties in the National Cup quarter-finals.

Separately, the group of seven players from Công an Hà Nội Club, including Đoàn Văn Hậu, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, Nguyễn Quang Hải, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Lê Phạm Thành Long, Trần Đình Trọng, and Nguyễn Filip, will join the team tomorrow (March 23).

Despite not having the full squad, the training session proceeded according to the coaching staff's plan. The group of players who just returned from matches mainly performed recovery exercises, while the remaining players underwent additional tactical drills to enhance cohesion in gameplay. Striker Nguyễn Xuân Son, due to minor discomfort, also only participated in recovery training to quickly regain optimal physical condition.

Speaking to the media before the training session, striker Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường expressed determination upon his return to the national team. He candidly acknowledged the intense competition for the striker position, especially given Nguyễn Xuân Son's outstanding performance. However, Việt Cường affirmed that this is healthy competition, and each player has unique strengths to contribute to the Vietnam national team.

"I just strive to get playing time; adaptation is the hardest part. I need more time to communicate and synchronize with the teammates. Wearing the Vietnam national team jersey is an honor; I will try to contribute my utmost.

The coaching staff assigned me number 22. This was Tiến Linh's jersey number before, so I feel a bit of pressure.

Each player in the forward line has their own strengths. Xuân Son possesses a truly distinct caliber compared to the other three, but everyone will compete fairly with each other, no problem."

Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường was born on December 27, 2000, stands 1.80m tall, and currently plays for Becamex Bình Dương Club. He is the youngest player to appear in V.League 2017 at just 16 years old.

Playing as a central striker but capable of drifting wide due to good speed, Việt Cường is highly rated for his ability to hold up the ball, position selection, and diverse finishing. At the national team level, he has represented various youth teams, including a period as captain of the U22 squad under coach Park Hang Seo. Given the professional qualities he has demonstrated, Việt Cường is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the Vietnam national team's attack.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will continue to complete its squad in the coming days, before entering the friendly match against Bangladesh at Hàng Đẫy Stadium on March 26. This will be an important preparatory step for coach Kim Sang Sik and his team towards the rematch with Malaysia in the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup.