Xuân Son misses the chance to face Malaysia's controversial naturalized stars early on

Nguyễn Xuân Son was surprisingly left out of Nam Định's official roster, missing the much-awaited clash with Malaysia's naturalized stars even though he is performing at a very high level.

Although he was in top form and highly anticipated ahead of the big match against Johor Darul Ta'zim, Nguyễn Xuân Son was unexpectedly omitted from Nam Định FC's registered lineup for the match on the evening of February 5 at Thiên Trường Stadium. This news surprised both experts and fans, as the naturalized Vietnamese forward was considered the main highlight of the "mini Vietnam vs Malaysia" encounter at the ASEAN Club Championship 2025/26.

Before kickoff, Xuân Son was expected to lead Nam Định’s attack in the crucial match against the Malaysian representatives. The 1997-born striker leads the scoring charts with 7 goals, playing a key role in helping Nam Định secure an early semifinal spot and compete for first place in Group B. His consistent performance, ability to break through defenses, diverse finishing skills, and international experience make him a "strategic asset" for coach Mauro Jeronimo in important matches.

Therefore, his exclusion from the squad list announced just before the game raised many questions. According to some sources, this decision was based on technical considerations and long-term planning by Nam Định’s coaching staff, given that the striker had just returned from a lengthy recovery from a serious injury in 2025. Although he has regained good fitness and performed explosively recently, the club remains cautious to avoid unnecessary risks before the knockout stage and a congested schedule ahead.

The absence of Xuân Son means fans missed the highly anticipated direct confrontation between him and Johor Darul Ta'zim’s naturalized players such as the controversial names Joao Figueiredo, Hector Hevel, and Jon Irazabal. This was also seen as a "preview" of the upcoming Vietnam vs Malaysia national team clashes in March, but ultimately did not happen as expected.

Although missing this emotional encounter, Xuân Son remains Nam Định’s major hope for the rest of the season. The decision to leave him out of the squad may cause immediate disappointment but reflects the club’s cautious strategy in pursuing bigger goals.