Xuân Son and the 'trial by fire' against Malaysia's naturalized star lineup

The encounter between Nam Định and Johor Darul Ta'zim on February 5th evening took on the character of a condensed Vietnam versus Malaysia clash, spotlighting Nguyễn Xuân Son.

The match between Nam Định Club and Johor Darul Ta'zim on the night of February 5 at Thiên Trường Stadium carried significance not only as a battle for the top spot in Group B of the ASEAN Club Championship 2025/26 but was also viewed as a smaller-scale confrontation between Vietnamese and Malaysian football, with Nguyễn Xuân Son attracting the most attention.

In the final group stage match, Nam Định approached the game with a relaxed mindset, having already secured a semifinal spot. Nevertheless, competing for first place kept coach Mauro Jeronimo’s team highly motivated. On the other hand, Johor Darul Ta'zim had not yet guaranteed progression, forcing the Malaysian side to give their all to avoid putting themselves at a disadvantage.

Experts and fans focused their attention on Nguyễn Xuân Son, the naturalized striker for Vietnam currently playing for Nam Định. He played a crucial role in Vietnam’s 2024 ASEAN Cup victory. However, a serious injury sidelined Xuân Son for almost all of 2025, causing him to miss many key matches in the third round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Notably, during Xuân Son’s absence, Vietnam suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Malaysia. That match sparked controversy because Malaysia fielded several naturalized players whose eligibility was questioned. Players like Joao Figueiredo, Hector Hevel, and Jon Irazabal were temporarily suspended by FIFA before being allowed to return; all are now key figures for Johor Darul Ta'zim.

The return of these naturalized players has significantly strengthened Johor Darul Ta'zim. Before the match, coach Mauro Jeronimo acknowledged that the Malaysian team is much more dangerous now, as these key players are well integrated into the team’s style and need no adaptation time. This poses a serious challenge for Nam Định’s defense, especially since the opponent must win to keep their hopes alive.

Conversely, Johor Darul Ta'zim is also paying special attention to Xuân Son. The striker currently leads the tournament’s scoring chart with 7 goals and is considered the most dangerous attacker for the home team. His ability to break through defenses, diverse finishing skills, and international experience make Xuân Son a key pillar for Nam Định in crucial matches.

Beyond the club level, tonight’s confrontation also serves as a warm-up for upcoming encounters at the national team level. According to plans, in March, barring any changes, Xuân Son and Johor Darul Ta'zim’s naturalized players will meet again representing Vietnam and Malaysia respectively. Therefore, the match at Thiên Trường is seen as an emotional and strategic prelude, promising many exciting moments for Southeast Asian football fans.