Japanese media: "You can't underestimate Vietnam with

Japanese media: “Vietnam cannot be underestimated

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Nguyễn Xuân Son, along with other naturalized players, plays a key role in the Vietnamese team's strategy. His experience and skills could be decisive in the upcoming match against Japan, highlighting the importance of his return from injury.

Why is this important

The Vietnam national team, despite failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, continues to attract attention thanks to naturalized players such as Nguyễn Xuân Son. Their participation could significantly strengthen the team ahead of the upcoming match with Japan, making Vietnam a dangerous opponent on the international stage. It also highlights the growing competitiveness of football culture in Southeast Asia.

Key takeaways

• Japanese media: “Vietnam cannot be underestimated.”
• The Japanese press notes that the Vietnamese team, despite failures in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, is a dangerous opponent thanks to naturalized players.
• Báo Nhật Bản: 'Không thể xem nhẹ Việt Nam với cầu thủ nhập tịch'.

The Japanese newspaper Sponichi notes in its material that the Vietnamese team is a serious opponent ahead of the upcoming friendly match with Japan, which is scheduled for December 30. This opinion is based on the presence of naturalized players who play for Vietnam, which includes representatives from Brazil and Slovakia.

Vietnam is currently ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings and second among Southeast Asian countries after Thailand (93rd). Despite failing to qualify for the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament, Vietnam remains on the Japanese media's radar as a potentially dangerous opponent under coach Kim Sang-sik. Naturalized players such as Nguyễn Xuân Son, Đỗ Hoàng Hên and Nguyễn Tài Lộc, who have Brazilian roots but are currently recovering from injuries and could return to action by the end of December, play an important role in this.

These players can significantly strengthen the team, which will be especially important before the friendly match, since Vietnam will be able to field a stronger squad compared to the one that played in the recent FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 tournament. It is also worth noting that among the naturalized players is goalkeeper Lê Giang Patrik, whose father is Vietnamese and his mother is Slovak, which also adds interest to his playing for the national team.

At the recent tournament, which took place from September 24 to October 5, the Vietnamese team took fourth place, losing to Thailand and Malaysia. The Japanese press has indicated that a number of player injuries have affected the team's performance and their return could boost Vietnam's chances in the upcoming match.

The friendly match will take place just eight days before the start of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. This will be Japanese coach Moriyasu's last game at home before his retirement after nine years with the team. Japan is ranked 17th in the FIFA rankings, 82 places ahead of Vietnam, and has performed well, unbeaten in its last six matches, of which five have been won.

Before the match against Vietnam, the Japanese team plans to play friendly games against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore in November. The match against Vietnam will be an important stage for them in preparation for the Asian Cup, where Japan will meet teams such as Indonesia and Thailand in Group F. In the last match between Vietnam and Japan in the Asian Cup 2023, which took place on January 14, 2024, the Japanese won with a score of 4:2.

The Vietnamese national team plans to gather on December 21 in Hanoi, and if an agreement for a friendly match with Japan is reached, the team may change its preparation plans and travel to Japan before traveling to Western Asia to play Qatar on January 5, 2027.At the Asian Cup 2027, Vietnam has been drawn into Group E along with the UAE, South Korea and Yemen, starting with a match against the UAE on January 10.

What happens next

Nguyễn Xuân Son and other naturalized players such as Đỗ Hoàng Hên and Nguyễn Tài Lộc are expected to return to training by the end of December. This will allow the Vietnamese national team to field a stronger squad in the friendly match against the Japanese national team, which will take place on December 30. Success in this match can boost the team's confidence ahead of the Asian Cup 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the Vietnamese team before the match with Japan?

The Vietnamese team is considered a serious opponent for Japan ahead of the upcoming friendly match, thanks to its naturalized players.

Who confirmed that Vietnam is a dangerous opponent?

Japanese newspaper Sponichi noted that Vietnam is a potentially dangerous rival.

Why is Vietnam now on the radar of Japanese media?

Vietnam is on the radar of the Japanese media due to the presence of naturalized players and their possible return from injury.

What changes are expected in the Vietnam squad before the match?

It is expected that naturalized players such as Nguyễn Xuân Son, Đỗ Hoàng Hên and Nguyễn Tài Lộc could return to the squad by the end of December.

When will the friendly match between Vietnam and Japan take place?

A friendly match between Vietnam and Japan is scheduled for December 30.

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