Nguyen Xuan Son, born Rafaelson in Brazil, is in red-hot form and can help Vietnam win the Asean Championship Cup for the third time.
In yesterday’s semifinal, the 27-year-old scored the decisive goal in a 2-0 first-leg semifinal victory over Singapore. The return leg is in Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province, 80km northwest of Hanoi, on Dec 29.
Rafaelson completed his switch to Vietnam last month after FIFA approved the move, as he would have completed five years of residency on Dec 20.
That meant he had to sit out the first three Group B matches, but when he played against Myanmar on Dec 21, Rafaelson had an immediate impact, scoring twice and creating two more goals as Vietnam won 5-0.
With three goals in two games, Rafaelson is now joint second in the top scorer rankings, behind Singapore’s Shawal Anuar, who has four.
In the 2023-24 Vietnamese league, the striker created history by scoring 31 goals, breaking the previous record of 25 set by Le Huynh Duc in 1996. Rafaelson’s goals helped Nam Dinh win its first league title since 1985 and the Super Cup for the first time.
Rafaelson can play as a target man or help link up play and is adept with both feet, making him difficult to mark.
Partnering the Brazilian-born striker is Nguyen Tien Linh, who won this tournament six years ago.
Tien Linh also has three goals and has been one of the key players for Vietnam, which regrouped under Kim Sang-sik, who replaced Philippe Troussier in May.
Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik said of his new star: “Xuan Son played with all his heart for the Vietnamese national team. It proved to be worth the wait for him to wear this uniform.”
For the record, Vietnam has won this tournament twice – in 2008 and 2018. Singapore has four titles (1998, 2004, 2007, 2012), and Thailand has seven (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022).
Malaysia’s sole victory came in 2010, but its hopes of adding to that tally evaporated when it failed to beat Singapore on Dec 20.
The other semifinal will see Thailand take on the Philippines later today, with the return leg on Dec 30.
Image: rafaeslon_10 / Instagram
