Xuân Son's "Unlucky" Match Day

Seven attempts, three hitting the woodwork, and squandering a clear chance—it was evident Xuân Son had a disappointing day against PVF-CAND on March 8.

Nam Định Club entered the match hosting PVF-CAND in Round 15 of V-League 2025/26 aiming to secure all three points to improve their league position. In that context, all eyes were focused on forward Nguyễn Xuân Son, the main striker and greatest hope for the Nam Định attack.

However, the March 8 match turned into a forgettable day for the 1997-born forward. Despite displaying his best qualities like positioning, strength in duels, and active involvement in build-up play, Xuân Son lacked the most crucial attribute for a striker: accuracy in final finishing touches.

From the start, Nam Định pushed forward aggressively and consistently delivered balls to Xuân Son's position. Out of the 19 shots created by the home team, the Vietnamese national team forward accounted for nearly half. Statistics show Xuân Son had about 7 attempts throughout the match, confirming he was Nam Định's most dangerous attacking threat.

Yet, PVF-CAND's goal seemed "closed" to Xuân Son this time. Three times his shots found the post or crossbar, leaving Nam Định fans in regret.

The most regrettable moment occurred in the 29th minute. From a left-wing corner, PVF-CAND goalkeeper Phí Minh Long mishandled a punch, presenting Xuân Son with an ideal opportunity as the ball landed right before an empty goal. However, the striker seemed startled in the decisive moment and tapped the ball wide from less than a meter away.

In the second half, Xuân Son continued to play with effort. He constantly moved, pressed, and sought space against PVF-CAND's dense defense. Still, his shots either narrowly missed the target or were denied by the frame.

Despite having an "unlucky" day, Xuân Son was fortunate as Nam Định ultimately got what they needed. In the 89th minute, from an attacking situation, center-back Lucas Alves chose a smart position and headed in the match's only goal.

This late strike secured a 1-0 victory for Nam Định, giving the Nam-based team all three points. After Round 15, Nam Định remained 9th in the standings, but the gap with the team above, Sông Lam Nghệ An, was reduced to just 1 point.

For Xuân Son, this was undoubtedly an unsatisfactory match. But given the form and energy he displayed, this forward remains Nam Định's greatest hope for the rest of the season. He still created many scoring chances, and on a more "lucky" day, Vietnam's number 1 striker will surely find opportunities to score.