Without Nguyen Xuan Son, coach Kim Sang-sik still commits everything against Thailand

After a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Philippines on September 26, Vietnam enter the match billed as the "final" of Group B against rivals Thailand. Ahead of this crucial game, Vietnam suffer a major blow as Xuan Son suffers a serious hamstring injury and will be out for 4-6 weeks. On Xuan Son's absence, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "I agreed to let Xuan Son leave the team. He returns to Vietnam early tomorrow morning. As head coach, I feel very heartbroken personally, and this is also a great loss for the team. I want to apologize to Vietnamese football fans in general and Nam Dinh FC in particular for this incident. I hope Xuan Son will make a full recovery and we can meet him again in the best possible condition". Despite not having their strongest squad, Vietnam remain confident of playing an open game against Thailand. Coach Kim Sang-sik said: "This is a good and important opportunity for Vietnam to take top spot in the group. We will give our all and do everything to win this second match. Of course, the team must prepare well and try their best to win. Through video clips, I studied the opponent. Actually, at ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam and Thailand met in the final, so we know their strengths well, as well as weaknesses we can exploit, and we have a plan to counter them". Assessing Thailand, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "Their players all have individual skills and technique that are among the best in Southeast Asia, with creative midfielders, so Vietnam's defense will face difficulties. However, as I said, the whole team has prepared in the best way, analyzing the opponent carefully so we can stop them. The whole team is ready for tomorrow's match". The clash between Vietnam and Thailand is seen as the highlight of Group B at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The match will likely directly decide the group winner, along with a ticket to the final. Indonesian media rate this as a tense and dramatic match. They predict Vietnam have a chance of winning. Bola commented: "Both Vietnam and Thailand won their opening matches. Thailand had a convincing performance beating Pakistan 4-0, while Vietnam edged the Philippines 1-0. This match also reprises the recent ASEAN Cup 2026 final. Vietnam won 4-2 on aggregate over two legs to lift the trophy. In fact, the "Golden Star Warriors" have won 3 of their last 4 meetings with Thailand. After the 4-0 win over Pakistan, Thailand are confident they can settle the score with Vietnam. However, remember that the "Golden Star Warriors" have achieved a win rate of 87% under coach Kim Sang-sik". Predicting the flow of the match, Bola wrote: "Thailand play possession football but are quite vulnerable to counter-attacks. This caused their defeat in both legs of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final against Vietnam. Meanwhile, coach Kim Sang-sik's side will try to exploit the space behind Thailand's defense". The Vietnam vs Thailand match will take place at 19:30 tonight (September 29) at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung, Indonesia). This is a fixture of great interest to football and media in the region. ASEAN Football, a site covering Southeast Asian football, said: "The biggest clash in regional football is about to be reprised. Will Thailand claim victory, or will Vietnam extend their unbeaten run against Thailand?". "This is a match for the pride of both sides, which is why both Vietnam and Thailand are determined to win", ASEAN Football added. Meanwhile, CNN Indonesia shared: "There are two matches today at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Both matches belong to Group B of Division 1. Notably, the clash between Vietnam and Thailand at 19:30. This is an extremely important encounter for both teams". "Both won all three points in their opening matches. Vietnam edged the Philippines 1-0, while Thailand beat Pakistan 4-0. Both teams want to reach the final and the winner of the upcoming match will secure the ticket to said final", CNN Indonesia wrote. Bola Sport also did not forget to mention Vietnam's squad issues before coach Kim Sang-sik's side face the land of the golden temple.