Xuan Son celebrates a goal, with Hoang Hen standing behind, during the match against Malaysia in the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Photo: Giang Huy

In their 3-1 victory over Malaysia, the Vietnam national team mirrored many V-League clubs, showcasing the impact of their naturalized players. With tall, skilled, and unpredictable naturalized players, coach Kim Sang-sik's team confidently delivered quality attacking output. Nguyen Xuan Son and Do Hoang Hen not only consistently became the focal points of offensive buildups but also demonstrated excellent understanding in occupying and exploiting space whenever they had the ball.

In this particular match, Xuan Son played as the highest striker, a true center forward. Hoang Hen, while positioned in his natural role as a right winger in a static formation, exhibited a wide range of movement. He frequently drifted into the right half-space or centrally, often dropping back to connect with deeper lines, enhancing the team's fluidity.

Xuan Son receives a lay-off pass, returning the ball to Hoang Hen, who consistently seeks out open areas between Malaysia's midfield and defense.

Operating within this dynamic space, "Son-Hen" formed a classic attacking partnership. Xuan Son would hold his position to receive direct passes from teammates, effectively pinning opposing defenders like a magnet. Leveraging his physical strength and aerial ability, the Nam Dinh striker had two primary options: either lay off the ball or head it behind Malaysia's defense, creating opportunities for others.

A typical situation where Xuan Son draws defenders and attempts to run behind the opposition's defense, thereby opening up space directly behind him for Hoang Hen. The play concluded with a shot saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.

Hoang Hen, acting as the other magnet, was tasked with attracting and utilizing the space created by his teammate. Son and Hen communicated like markers, signaling to each other. When one had the ball, the other instinctively knew which spaces were open to exploit. If Son dropped back, Hen would make a run behind Malaysia's defense; conversely, if Son pushed high, Hen would play as a withdrawn striker, maintaining balance and unpredictability.

Theoretically, they behaved like two magnets with the same pole "repelling" each other, but this very separation created the crucial connection necessary in football.

Two examples of Xuan Son receiving a high ball as a linking player, while Hoang Hen maintains distance, ready for a lay-off or to contest a second ball.

Xuan Son continues to receive a high pass after dropping back, while Hoang Hen accelerates to exploit the space behind Malaysia's defense. The play progresses with Son's headed pass to Hen.

During the first 45 minutes against Malaysia, this spatial distribution of roles between Son and Hen occurred frequently. However, direct link-up plays between the two stars remained limited in the initial stages of the game.

Before Hoang Hen joined Hanoi FC in 2025, he and Xuan Son were teammates at Binh Dinh and Nam Dinh. This existing understanding on the field had already been established and only required more time to be reaffirmed while representing the national team.

The bond between the "Son-Hen" duo was truly stretched and tested when the clock reached the 51st minute at Thien Truong Stadium. From Hoang Hen's lofted pass near the byline, the 29-year-old striker easily headed the ball from close range into Malaysia's net, extending the lead to 2-0.

Xuan Son's goal makes the score 2-0.

This was reportedly the 11th time the 31-year-old assisted his compatriot since both arrived in Vietnam to play football. While this statistic may require verification, a clear paradox was evident in the buildup to Xuan Son's goal.

When Hai Long received a pass from Quang Hai and dribbled a few more touches, the two magnets, Son and Hen, seemed reluctant to separate again. They wanted to draw closer. In other words, both intended to make attacking runs into the same point behind Malaysia's defense.

Both Xuan Son and Hoang Hen intend to make diagonal attacking runs behind Malaysia's defense as Hai Long has the ball.

However, Hai Long's signal was clear. While Xuan Son was waiting directly in front and ready to break through the gap between two opposing defenders, the 25-year-old midfielder patiently waited for the overlapping diagonal run of his Hanoi FC club teammate, Hoang Hen.

After Hai Long identifies the pass is for Hoang Hen's outside overlapping run, Xuan Son immediately separates from his teammate and moves towards the 5.50-meter box.

Xuan Son certainly didn't hesitate. The moment Hai Long delivered the pre-assist pass, the striker, who had celebrated his 29th birthday just one day prior, "reversed his magnet's polarity." He immediately separated from Hoang Hen's run, heading directly towards Malaysia's goal.

Hoang Hen assists Xuan Son, extending the lead to 2-0 against Malaysia.

The moment everyone at Thien Truong Stadium had been anticipating finally arrived, as the "Son-Hen" partnership truly found its rhythm to get on the scoreboard. Both players speak Portuguese, but this time, they were seen speaking another common language: the language of football.

Hoang Thong