Malaysian newspaper cautions about the duo Hoàng Hên - Xuân Son

It will be a double boost from Brazil for the Vietnamese national team when they face Malaysia in the final match of Group F in the third round of Asian Cup 2027 qualification at Nam Định Stadium on March 31.

"Samba boost for the Vietnamese national team" is the headline in The Star newspaper about the Vietnamese team ahead of the return match against Malaysia in the Asian Cup 2027 qualification.

"The Golden Dragon warriors are not only welcoming the return of top striker Rafaelson Bezerra, now named Nguyễn Xuân Son. They could also deploy another Brazilian naturalized player, Hendrio Araujo, who is expected to play a key role on the wing or in the attacking midfield position," writes The Star.

Araujo, 31 years old, with the Vietnamese name Đỗ Hoàng Hên, currently plays for Hanoi FC in V.League and has been connected to Vietnam since 2021. He officially received Vietnamese citizenship in October last year.

Araujo has impressed strongly this season by scoring 6 goals in 10 national league matches, providing a timely addition for the Vietnamese national team as they aim to "settle the score" with Malaysia.

Araujo is very eager for the opportunity to represent the country he has been attached to for the past 5 years.

"This is a dream come true and an opportunity for me to express gratitude for the love and support the Vietnamese people have given me over the years.

Wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey is a great honor. I am very happy, full of motivation, and ready to give my all."

Besides Hoàng Hên and Xuân Son, coach Kim Sang Sik has also called up several overseas Vietnamese players, including goalkeepers Filip Nguyễn and Đặng Văn Lâm, along with wing defender Jason Penant, known in Vietnam as Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.

Also returning to the national team are Đoàn Văn Hậu, who last played in June 2023 against Syria, and Trần Đình Trọng, who has been absent since September 2022 when Vietnam faced Singapore.

Both players will make their first appearance under coach Kim Sang Sik.

The Vietnamese national team previously lost 0-4 to Malaysia in the first match of Group 7 in the Asian Cup 2027 qualification in Kuala Lumpur last June.

However, that result was later annulled, and Vietnam was declared the winner 3-0 after Malaysia was found to have used ineligible players.

Thanks to that, the Vietnamese national team officially topped Group F with 15 points after 5 matches, securing their Asian Cup 2027 ticket before the return match takes place.

Before the match against Malaysia, the national team will play an international friendly against Bangladesh at Hàng Đẫy Stadium at 19:00 today, March 26.