Brian Jeffrey
Naturalized Players and Their Impact on Vietnamese Football
The 2024 ASEAN Cup victory by the Vietnamese national team, notably aided by naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son, has sparked renewed conversations regarding the integration of naturalized players into the team.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) leadership advocates for a measured strategy by emphasizing long-term development over the more aggressive naturalization methods used by Indonesia.
Nguyen Xuan Son’s Contribution
Nguyen Xuan Son made history as Vietnam’s first naturalized player in an official tournament, significantly contributing to the ASEAN Cup triumph. Nonetheless, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu noted that Vietnam’s emphasis will remain on nurturing local talent.
“Naturalizing Nguyen Xuan Son was a timely decision that positively impacted the team. Sadly, he has sustained a serious injury that will keep him out for several months. While we are in favor of naturalization, the choice of players for the national team ultimately lies with the head coach,” explained Tu.
He continued, “Indonesia’s approach to naturalization has led to weaknesses in their youth development, which has hampered their capacity to develop local players. This teaches us a vital lesson. Global standards prioritize youth training, and we must align with that in Vietnamese football.”
Balancing Club and National Commitments
Tu also pointed out the need to manage club schedules effectively alongside national commitments. “Clubs have been incredibly supportive of the national team, even through times when their star players were injured during training,” he commented.
He acknowledged the clubs’ sacrifices, noting that the Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) is currently creating a 2024/25 schedule to ease player burdens while allowing ample preparation for the national squad.
Team Spirit and Leadership
Tu commended the solidarity shown by the players during their training camp lasting one month. “The team exhibited exceptional togetherness. Captain Duy Manh was instrumental in fostering this spirit, supported by Quang Hai and Tien Linh,” he shared.
Even injured players like Doan Ngoc Tan, who got hurt after scoring against the Philippines, remained committed. His professionalism exemplified dedication, as he chose to stay in Thailand to support his club after the ASEAN Cup instead of returning home.
Tu recalled how head coach Kim Sang Sik motivated the team with a relentless focus on winning: “First, we win the championship. Second, we win the championship. Third, we win the championship.” This mantra resonated with the team, especially when Xuan Son got injured in the finals, prompting Kim to urge the players to “compete for their injured teammates,” which further fueled their resolve.
The triumphs of the national team come alongside hurdles for Vietnamese football in 2024. “We’ve faced some disappointing outcomes that have been tough to handle,” admitted Tu. “However, our success in the ASEAN Cup, together with the women’s futsal squad winning the regional title against Thailand and the men’s futsal team securing their first victory over Thailand on their home ground, has been truly uplifting.”
