Hot football news this afternoon, July 30: Vĩ Hào bids farewell to football... until the end of 2026

Before the big clash between Vietnam and Singapore, managers Kim Sang-sik and Gavin Lee have issued statements, with additional news regarding Bùi Vĩ Hào's injury, the U20 Vietnam squad, Liverpool, and European transfer activity.

Singapore reveals plan to face Vietnam

Coach Gavin Lee asserted that Singapore has followed a unique preparation path for the encounter with the Vietnam national team at the 2026 AFF Cup, rather than relying on lessons from matches against Cambodia or Timor Leste. The 34-year-old tactician stated that Vietnam is a completely different opponent. During the pre-tournament preparation, The Lions have trained in Okinawa, Japan, to adapt to high-intensity competition. He also dismissed the notion that Singapore is inferior in speed, emphasizing that the team will utilize their tactical system and ability to exploit spaces.

These statements show that Singapore holds great respect for the Vietnam team and has prepared thoroughly. Although considered the stronger side, Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad is expected to face many challenges in the upcoming encounter.

Coach Kim Sang-sik ignites the team before the match against Singapore

Just hours before the showdown with Singapore at the 2026 AFF Cup, Coach Kim Sang-sik delivered a strong message to the entire team, urging his players to approach the match with a final-game mentality. The South Korean strategist emphasized that Vietnam needs to turn pressure into confidence, maintain composure, and never back down against any opponent. While he acknowledged Singapore's strength and demanded maximum focus, he expressed confidence in achieving a positive result if the team plays with the right spirit.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's remarks underscore Vietnam's determination to secure all three points and reaffirm their status as a top contender for the 2026 AFF Cup title.

Vĩ Hào must sit out until the end of 2026

Striker Bùi Vĩ Hào has undergone successful surgery for a knee ligament tear following an incident during a training session with Becamex TP.HCM. Although the operation went well, the 2003-born forward will be sidelined until the end of 2026 for treatment and recovery.

On the morning of July 30, the club's management and the Becamex TP.HCM fan association visited the hospital to encourage the Vietnamese international. This is his second serious injury in over a year, following a fractured fibula and ankle ligament tear.

The long-term absence will cause him to miss out on plans with the Vietnam national team under Coach Kim Sang-sik, while also leaving a significant gap in Becamex TP.HCM's attack ahead of the new season.

U20 Vietnam faces disadvantage after Philippines withdraws

The 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers saw an unexpected twist as the Philippines U20 team withdrew, prompting the AFC to adjust the calculation method for second-placed teams. Under the new rule, results against the bottom team in each group will be excluded when comparing second-place teams, making the race for the finals even more competitive.

This is not good news for U20 Vietnam, as Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's side is placed in a tough Group C alongside Iran, North Korea, and Palestine. With the top spot being difficult to secure, the chances of advancing as a runner-up have also been significantly affected. The U20 Vietnam team will train in Japan from August 8 to August 17 before entering the qualifiers at their home ground in Việt Trì, aiming for the best results in each match.

Liverpool edges past Wrexham

Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham in a friendly at Yankee Stadium, but had to wait until the 75th minute to decide the match thanks to a goal from young talent Rio Ngumoha. Despite dominating possession, the Kop's lineup, featuring many young players, faced considerable difficulty against the opponent's tight defense.

Besides Ngumoha, Dominik Szoboszlai stood out with a passing accuracy of over 95%, playing a key role in controlling the tempo and creating numerous dangerous chances.

The second consecutive preseason victory provides a positive sign for Liverpool ahead of their next friendly against Leeds United.

Transfer news

The summer transfer market continues to heat up with several notable developments. According to talkSPORT, Marcus Rashford has surprisingly become a target for Tottenham amid his increasingly uncertain future at Manchester United. Chelsea is also closely monitoring Crystal Palace defender Daniel Muñoz, but will face competition from Barcelona.

On the other hand, Manchester City sees goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli as a potential replacement for James Trafford if the young shot-stopper moves to Leeds United. Meanwhile, Liverpool is considering signing center-back Illia Zabarnyi for a fee of around £57 million. The Ukrainian player is highly rated by Coach Andoni Iraola and could become a crucial addition to the defense of The Kop ahead of the new season.