Bac Dinh and Xuan Son will be a 'nightmare' for all Southeast Asian defenses

Southeast Asian football might soon experience the fearsome presence of Vietnam’s two most prominent players.

Vietnam’s national team suffered a 0-4 defeat against Malaysia in June 2025 which left many regrets. It was a match where the red-shirted squad was completely outplayed, struggling in attack and barely putting enough pressure on the opponent’s defense.

However, it is important to emphasize that at that time, Vietnam’s team was without two key forwards, Xuan Son and Bac Dinh. Their absence significantly weakened the team’s attacking power and served as a warning to the rest of Southeast Asia about what to expect when this duo returns.

Xuan Son has long been a familiar name to defenders in the region. This striker caused real fear at the 2024 AFF Cup, where he exploded in form and won both the top scorer and MVP awards. His ability to power through defenses, smart positioning, and cold finishing makes any defensive line wary.

With Xuan Son on the field, Vietnam always has a solid attacking foundation. The striker from Thep Xanh Nam Dinh is currently in incredible form, having scored 8 goals in his last 4 matches.

Meanwhile, Bac Dinh is emerging as a new symbol of modern Vietnamese football. This young talent has consistently proven his quality from the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship through to the 33rd SEA Games. Especially at the U23 Asian Championship, Bac Dinh shocked the region by winning 6 individual awards and playing a key role in helping Vietnam’s U23 team finish third. This achievement has made the entire region regard him with new respect.

Notably, the Hanoi Police striker also secured the top scorer title with 4 goals and 2 assists at the U23 Asian Championship, marking a historic feat for a Vietnamese player in this tournament.

In terms of playing style, Bac Dinh and Xuan Son complement each other almost perfectly. Bac Dinh possesses speed, aggressiveness, excellent individual skills, and abundant energy. He is a true nightmare on the wing, where his breakthrough ability and relentless pressing constantly put opponents on alert.

Meanwhile, Xuan Son brings strength, competitive spirit, speed, and the ability to finish opponents off with clinical strikes. The presence of these two names up front will be a terrifying challenge for any defense facing the Vietnam national team.

Bac Dinh was unfortunate to miss the match against Malaysia due to suspension, but Xuan Son was available. The return of this striker is seen as the first challenge Vietnam sends to the entire Southeast Asian region. Looking further ahead, at the 2026 AFF Cup, when both Bac Dinh and Xuan Son are in peak condition, Southeast Asia will truly understand what a nightmare Vietnamese football can be.