Vietnam national team hold first training session in Viet Tri, Xuan Son emotional on return
On the afternoon of November 11, the Vietnam national team held their first training session at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho) during the November FIFA Days training camp, in preparation for the upcoming match against Laos in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.
Having just played in Round 11 of the 2025/26 V.League on November 10, players from Hanoi Police FC and Hanoi FC were allowed by head coach Kim Sang-sik to have a recovery session at the hotel. On the training ground, the remaining players only went through light exercises, following a program designed to help them regain energy and maintain enthusiasm after a demanding domestic season.
The highlight of the session was the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son, who marked his comeback to the national team after nearly a year out due to injury. The presence of the 1997-born player brought a special atmosphere—not only for himself but for the whole team.
Sharing his feelings on the day of his return, Xuan Son said emotionally: “Today is truly special for me since the day I got injured. I always feel proud and honored to wear the Vietnam national team jersey. I’m very happy to be back, to see the familiar faces of my teammates and the coaching staff again. My family is also very proud that I have the opportunity to contribute to the national team once more.”
He continued: “It’s hard to put into words how emotional it feels to be back here, meeting my friends and the coaches who have accompanied me on my previous journey. I would like to sincerely thank the coaching staff, my teammates, and the fans across the country for always supporting me.”
Responding to doubts about his fitness, Xuan Son affirmed that he has fully recovered and is ready to play at his highest intensity: “Right now, I’m at 100% fitness, so there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll give my best every time I’m given the opportunity.”
The Nam Dinh FC striker also shared that he has been maintaining a full training schedule recently: “I’ve completed all the training programs set by Nam Dinh’s coaching staff and have always stayed ready to play. I want to take part in every match and not miss a single minute, but of course, all decisions rest with coach Kim Sang-sik.”
In Group F, the Vietnam national team currently have 9 points, ranking second behind Malaysia. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players will have four days of training in Viet Tri before traveling to Laos for the return leg against the Lao national team, scheduled for November 19, 2025.
