The one who made Thai Son have to stand by
When looking at the list of 23 players of the U.23 Vietnam team going to Indonesia, most experts and fans confirmed that Nguyen Thai Son will definitely win a starting position. With 66 matches in the V-League, 40 matches for the Vietnam national team (including 6 matches for the Vietnam national team), the midfielder of Thanh Hoa Club is among the most experienced in the team.
However, Thai Son was only in the starting lineup in the match against Laos U.23. He actually played not too badly, but not enough to convince the Korean strategist. Thai Son's playing style was relatively safe, mainly passing sideways and back, sometimes slowing down the attacking rhythm of Vietnam U.23.
Xuan Bac tends to attack more than Thai Son.
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
Meanwhile, coach Kim Sang-sik wants to play a stronger and more aggressive attack. That is why in the remaining two matches, he chose Xuan Bac. Compared to Thai Son, the PVF-CAND player may not be as good at blocking, but his ability to support the attack is more impressive. He is ready to launch through balls, actively swap positions with Van Truong to attack, and even penetrate the penalty area. In the match against the U.23 Cambodia team, he made a smart run to receive Anh Quan's accurate cross, headed the ball into the opponent's net, but unfortunately the goal was not recognized due to an offside error. In the semi-final match, Xuan Bac put his name on the scoreboard with a beautiful header to seal a 2-1 victory for coach Kim Sang-sik's team. After that, he was also voted the best player of the match.
With impressive performances, Xuan Bac is likely to continue to start in the final match against the U.23 Indonesia team at 8:00 p.m. on July 29.
Career turning point with Vietnam U.23 team?
Xuan Bac was born in 2003, the same age as Thai Son, Van Khang, Van Truong, Phi Hoang, but his career is not as outstanding as his teammates. If you do not follow Vietnamese football closely, fans will hardly know the name Xuan Bac. He has only played for the U.20 Vietnam team 4 times and has never participated in any tournament with the U.23 team, and has never played in the V-League. However, after only 3 matches at the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship, the midfielder of PVF-CAND Club has become one of the most interesting discoveries of coach Kim Sang-sik.
Xuan Bac is making impressive progress. He played prominently in the 2024-2025 first division, making a great contribution to helping PVF-CAND Club win the bronze medal. With his ability to move intelligently, dominate the midfield and contribute directly to the overall play, he was honored in the typical squad of the season. It was that impressive performance that helped coach Kim Sang-sik continuously call him up to the Vietnam U.23 team.
Many players like Phan Tuan Tai and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa have progressed very quickly after winning the Southeast Asian championship with the Vietnam U.23 team. Can Xuan Bac do the same?
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
Now, Xuan Bac not only has a starting position in the U.23 Vietnam squad, but is also one of the bright spots, creating a difference in the team's playing style. If he continues to play impressively in the final match against host U.23 Indonesia, and even wins the championship with the U.23 Vietnam team, Xuan Bac's career can completely turn a new page.
A regional championship will not only be meaningful in terms of achievements, but can also become a "lever" for him to reach new levels in his career. He will have more confidence and motivation to play better when he returns to the club and helps PVF-CAND win promotion. He may also receive attractive invitations from big teams in the V-League.
With the foundation he has accumulated at PVF-CAND, his young age, his ability to develop quickly and his good performance in the international arena, Xuan Bac has all the foundations to go far in his professional career. Therefore, this U.23 Southeast Asian Championship could be the perfect launching pad for a new talent of Vietnamese football.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-hung-cua-u23-viet-nam-chua-da-v-league-phut-nao-van-la-quan-bai-tay-anh-la-ai-18525072623004238.htm
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