Vietnam plagued by injuries ahead of match for
By OnzeActu · · 5 min read
As Vietnam prepares to play the third place match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 against Malaysia, several key players are in physical difficulty. Coach Kim Sang-sik calls for a collective effort to secure a victory, despite these absences.
According to Vnexpress.
Context
Nguyễn Tài Lộc, Vietnam's left midfielder, is a key player whose absence could be felt during the match against Malaysia. His injury, which occurred during the match against Pakistan, required him to miss training to recover. His performance at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 has been expected, and his early return would be key to strengthening the team.
Why it matters
Vietnam are preparing for a crucial match against Malaysia for third place in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, but the team is facing significant absences due to injuries. Key players like Nguyễn Tài Lộc and Đỗ Hoàng Hên, who were injured in the last match against Pakistan, may be missing, which could affect the team's chances of winning. Coach Kim Sang-sik must now find solutions to compensate for these absences.
Key points
- Vietnam plagued by injuries before match.
- As Vietnam prepares to play the third place match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 against Malaysia, several key players are in physical difficulty.
- Chấn thương đe doạ Việt Nam trước tranh giải Ba FIFA ASEAN Cup - Báo VnExpress Thể thao.
On the evening of October 1, the Vietnam national team trained on the pitch of Gelora Bung Karno B Stadium, Jakarta, in preparation for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third place match against Malaysia. As this important meeting approaches, coach Kim Sang-sik urged his players to show self-sacrifice to obtain a positive result, even if this meeting is not the final hoped for before the start of the competition.
However, the Vietnamese workforce faces several major difficulties on a physical level. Four key players – Nguyễn Tài Lộc (left midfielder), Đỗ Hoàng Hên (defensive midfielder), Nguyễn Đình Bắc (right midfielder) and Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh (central defender) – did not participate in collective training and were placed aside to take care of their muscles and treat their injuries.
Concerning Nguyễn Tài Lộc and Đỗ Hoàng Hên, they suffered from injuries sustained during the match against Pakistan, a match in which they had to be replaced in the second half. For his part, Nguyễn Đình Bắc shows signs of muscular overwork, probably linked to his high playing time since the start of the competition. He was only preserved during the first half against Pakistan, but participated in the other matches against the Philippines and Thailand. As for central defender Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, he too was injured at the end of the match against Pakistan and carried out a light warm-up on the sidelines of the session. His coach clarified that his participation in tomorrow's match would depend on the evolution of his muscle pain and would require careful medical attention.
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Despite these absences, Vietnam's other players are in good physical condition and showing great enthusiasm ahead of their confrontation against Malaysia. This meeting will be an interesting revenge, since Vietnam had largely dominated the Malaysians in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Cup barely a month ago, with a cumulative score of 4-0.
Among the players in form, midfielder Nguyễn Hai Long was active during technical exercises, notably in a passing and pressing exercise against Nguyễn Hoàng Đức. In the match against Pakistan, both of these players scored, contributing to Vietnam's 4-2 victory. Furthermore, young Williams striker Minh Hoàng scored his first official goal with the national team, the one which sealed the score, testifying to his motivation and his desire to progress.
In accordance with the competition regulations, in the event of a tie at the end of 90 minutes, extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. Interestingly, Malaysia's last victory against Vietnam was in 2014, in the second leg of the AFF Cup (now ASEAN Cup) semi-finals. Since then, Malaysia have suffered nine defeats and drawn only once against the Vietnamese, with a score of 2-2 during the group stage of the 2018 edition.
The rest
As the match approaches, the Vietnamese team will have to adapt quickly to the situation. The remaining players, in good form, will have to step up their efforts to compensate for the absences of Nguyễn Tài Lộc, Đỗ Hoàng Hên, and others. Coach Kim Sang-sik stressed the importance of a collective effort to achieve a positive result against Malaysia, a team that Vietnam have already beaten recently.
Frequently asked questions
What injuries are affecting the Vietnam team before the match against Malaysia?
The Vietnam team is dealing with several injuries, including those of Nguyễn Tài Lộc, Đỗ Hoàng Hên, Nguyễn Đình Bắc and Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh.
Who confirmed the injuries of the Vietnamese players?
Coach Kim Sang-sik mentioned the players' injuries and said their participation in the match would depend on how their conditions progress.
Why does the Vietnam team have to deal with injuries before
the match?
The injuries stem from incidents during the match against Pakistan, where several players had to be replaced due to muscle pain.
What are the consequences of the injuries on the Vietnamese team?
Injuries could affect the availability of key players for the third place match against Malaysia.
What changes did the coach ask of the players despite the injuries?
Coach Kim Sang-sik urged his players to show self-sacrifice to achieve a positive result, even if this match is not the final hoped for.