Football 

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Xuân Son’s brace in Việt Nam’s 2-0 win over Malaysia in the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup semi-final not only moved him to joint top-scorer in the tournament but also cemented his place among Việt Nam’s most prolific strikers in history.

The substitute needed only 30 minutes to net twice to seal a win for the defending champions at the Mỹ Đình Stadium on August 19 in Hà Nội.

The Brazilian-born striker has netted five goals after six matches, as many as his young teammates Nguyễn Đình Bắc. The duo are leading the scoring chart with one goal more than Teeraska Poeiphimai of Thailand. 

Việt Nam are also the tournament’s highest-scoring team, with 17 goals.

Son has found the back of the net 16 times in 15 appearences for Việt Nam since December, 2024, three months since he was granted Vietnamese citizenship.

The achievement placed him in the top five greatest goalscorers in the history of the Golden Star Warriors.

Number one is former striker Lê Công Vinh with 51 goals. Next are Lê Huỳnh Đức (27), Nguyễn Tiến Linh (26) and Nguyễn Hồng Sơn (18). Among them only Linh is still active player but he isn't part of this tournament.

Son's 12 goals in 11 matches of two ASEAN Cups made him the second best player in the regional arena. Teerasil Dangda of Thailand takes lead with 25 goals.

However, with eight goals in the Cup's knockout phase, Son equaled the record held by Dangda who at 38 has been out of the national team for several years.

 

Asked if he wanted to prove his ability in future matches, Son said he no need to prove anything but just wanted to do his job well. The important thing, he added, was how he contributed to the team.

Meanwhile coach Kim Sang-sik expressed his surprise at Son's five goals in this tournament. 

He joked: "Only five goals? That’s a bit low, isn’t it? I want Son to score three goals in the final against Thailand and help Việt Nam win the championship.

"I hope everyone sets even higher expectations for himself.”

Việt Nam landed in Bangkok on August 20 and will have two training sessions before the final's first leg match on August 22 at the Rajamangala Stadium.

The return game will be four days later at the Mỹ Đình. — VNS