Song and Son - First time partnering in the Vietnam national team

Hoang Hen started and left a mark, Xuan Son came on in the second half, their first time partnering for the Vietnam national team, as the hosts led Bangladesh by an unconvincing three goals.

On March 26th at Hang Day Stadium, the Vietnam national team not only faced a test against Bangladesh but also witnessed a notable personnel milestone as the naturalized duo Nguyen Xuan Son and Do Hoang Hen first wore the "Golden Star Warriors" jersey together.

In the starting lineup, coach Kim Sang-sik drew attention by giving Hoang Hen a starting opportunity. The midfielder from Hanoi FC immediately became the focus, not only because this was his first appearance for the national team but also due to expectations that he would bring new creativity to the midfield.

Right in the first half, Hoang Hen left a clear impression with numerous technical plays and penetrating runs into the box. He had several good chances to score, yet lacked a bit of precision in finishing to secure his first goal for the Vietnam national team. Nevertheless, the pressure created by Vietnam was immense, and the first half ended with a 3-0 lead for the home side.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Xuan Son, who entered history as the first naturalized player under coach Kim Sang-sik, was kept on the bench. Only at the start of the second half did the Korean strategist introduce this striker to increase pressure on Bangladesh's defense.

The moment Xuan Son appeared also marked the first time he and Hoang Hen partnered in the Vietnam national team jersey. This detail holds significant meaning, as the duo previously played very cohesively at club level, from Binh Dinh to Nam Dinh, where they created many impressions in the V.League.

Their reunion at the national team level is thus expected to recreate the "success formula" that once made their clubs operate effectively. Hoang Hen, with his creativity, tempo control, and decisive passes, while Xuan Son possesses a goal-scoring instinct and sharp positional awareness.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's proactive testing of this duo also shows a clear direction in utilizing naturalized players to enhance squad quality. Not merely supplementary options, Xuan Son and Hoang Hen are gradually becoming crucial links in the tactical system.