Vietnam national team suffers major losses, nearly half the squad unable to face Malaysia

The Vietnam national team is facing a tough challenge in terms of player availability before their upcoming rematch with Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round on March 31.

With the AFC yet to clearly announce Malaysia’s sanctions, Coach Kim Sang-sik is struggling to find the best solution as his squad is severely weakened across all three lines.

In defense, Vietnam will definitely miss two players. Center-back Ly Duc must serve a carry-over suspension from the U23 level after receiving a red card in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship semifinal against China U23. The AFC ruled that the 2003-born player committed violent conduct and imposed a total three-match ban, with two matches applied at the senior national team level. Additionally, center-back Hieu Minh is also unavailable due to a serious injury sustained during the 2026 U23 Asian Championship final round and has undergone surgery in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam’s midfield also suffers significant losses with two energetic midfielders out. Van Truong tore his knee ligament during the Panda Cup in China, missing both the U23 Asian Championship final and not yet recovered. Meanwhile, Thai Son, who played every match in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, is the most recent U23 Vietnamese player to suffer an almost complete anterior cruciate ligament tear and required surgery, raising concerns about a long-term absence.

The attack line is also not intact as forward Dinh Bac was sidelined due to a direct red card received in the 86th minute of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship third-place match against South Korea U23. According to AFC regulations, a direct red card in the U23 tournament can lead to a suspension of at least two matches, or even three if deemed dangerous conduct. Since Dinh Bac is overage for the next U23 Asian Championship, his suspension carries over to the senior national team level, meaning he will definitely miss the match against Malaysia and possibly the opening match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

More worryingly, Doan Van Hau recently suffered an injury in the Hanoi Police FC’s 3-2 win over Ninh Binh FC in the 12th round of the V.League. The 1999-born defender had to be stretchered off in the 56th minute, leaving fans anxious. Although Van Hau managed to provide an assist at 45+2 minutes for Alan’s goal, the extent of his injury remains unclear and requires further detailed examination.

Amidst the personnel losses, Coach Kim Sang-sik must carefully consider replacement options. The good news for Vietnam is that the current squad has more quality reserves compared to the first leg in June 2025. Most notably, striker Nguyen Xuan Son returns after a long injury recovery. Additionally, the successful naturalization of the skilled midfielder Do Hoang Hen (Hendrio) and the reliable center-back Do Phi Long (Gustavo) provides Vietnam with greater depth and balance across all three lines. This duo promises a tougher, more modern, and versatile style of play against Malaysia.

In goal, it is likely that Vietnamese-origin goalkeepers who have obtained Vietnamese citizenship such as Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, and Le Giang Patrik will continue to be called up. The defense may also welcome back Cao Pendant Quang Vinh along with experienced domestic players like Bui Hoang Viet Anh.

Despite significant personnel shortages, Vietnam still has a foundation to hope for a positive result against Malaysia. The remaining challenge lies in how Coach Kim Sang-sik arranges the squad, selects tactics, and adapts to the situation, especially given the uncertainty around Malaysia’s sanctions ahead of the crucial match on March 31.