Xuân Son Opens His Account: A Fairy Tale or Media Pressure?

The match between Thep Xanh Nam Dinh and HAGL in the opening round of LPBank V-League 2026/26 is not merely a contest between two teams at different positions on the table. It is the first test of Nam Dinh's rebuilding ambitions after a disappointing season, and an opportunity for Xuân Son to prove he is not just a player riding the wave of ASEAN Cup 2026 glory. I have been following Vietnamese football for 49 years, and I recognize this: Vietnamese media has a talent for turning an ordinary player into a national hero overnight. Xuân Son played well at the ASEAN Cup? Fantastic. But wait — what does that mean when returning to a V-League with a nearly completely changed squad? Nam Dinh released 5 foreign players this summer: Brenner, Akolo, Lucas Alves, Mahmoud Eid, and Mitchell Dijks. That is not "minor tweaking" — that is a personnel revolution. Four new faces replaced them: Caio Cesar, Romulo, Lu Sambal, and Ezequiel Santos Da Silva. Along with four domestic signings: Trinh Xuan Hoang (goalkeeper), Tran Manh Quynh (midfielder), Dam Tien Dung (defender), and Pham Tuan Hai (striker). Pham Tuan Hai — the name I am particularly watching. He is expected to become Xuân Son's strike partner. But this is a completely new pairing, with not a single official minute played together. Meanwhile, HAGL has only one goal: survival. They lost Quang Kiet and Chau Ngoc Quang — two pillars who left without adequate replacements. When the entire press room falls silent, I know I have touched the right nerve. The question is: Is Xuân Son truly ready to "open his account," or is this just a psychological trap laid by the media? I bet some will say "he plays for the national team now, scoring in the V-League is a minor matter." But I disagree. The pressure from the ASEAN Cup 2026 title does not disappear — it simply transforms into higher expectations for every club match. HAGL will play with a packed defense, funneling everyone back and waiting for counterattacking opportunities. This is the typical style of a team fighting for survival. Nam Dinh, with a brand-new attack and no chemistry yet, may struggle to break down this dense defensive block. Xuân Son may score — but he could also struggle throughout the first 90 minutes of the season. People hate me because I speak first, then they remember me because I was right. I dare to bet against the crowd: Xuân Son will not score in the opening match. Not because he is poor — but because HAGL will play like animals cornered against the wall. They have nothing to lose, and that is the most dangerous weapon. My prediction: Nam Dinh wins 1-0 but Xuân Son does not score. The goal comes from a set piece or from one of the foreign newcomers. If I am wrong, I will proudly admit it. If I am right, remember this article when the match ends. For now, let Xuân Son prove me wrong. I am 65 years old, but I still enjoy being proven wrong by young players. Thep Xanh Nam Dinh has completed squad streamlining, targeting V-League and National Cup glory. Coach Vu Hong Viet faces pressure to deliver better results than last season. For HAGL, everything revolves around survival. This match is not just about three points — it is the first statement of the new season.