Việt Nam vs Singapore: Xuân Sơn – Đình Bắc dẫn dắt “bộ ba khủng” ra sân!
Vietnam vs Singapore: AFF Cup 2026 Showdown at Mỹ Đình – Everything You Need to Know!
Quick Match Snapshot
When: 8:00 PM, July 31, 2026
Where: Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi
Tournament: AFF Cup 2026 (Group A)
Watch Live: FPT Play (fptplay.vn)
Half-Time Score: Vietnam 0–0 Singapore
Vietnam’s Starting Lineup (Unchanged!)
Coach Kim Sang Sik is sticking with his winning formula. The attacking trio remains the same:
| Position | Player | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Lê Giang | The last line of defense |
| Defenders | Trương Tiến Anh, Xuân Mạnh, Thành Chung, Văn Hậu | Solid back four |
| Midfielders | Văn Vĩ, Hoàng Đức, Quang Hải | Engine room – creative & tough |
| Forwards | Hoàng Hên, Đình Bắc, Xuân Son | The "Scary Trio" |
Why no changes? The team gelled well in the opener against Timor-Leste. "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!"
Singapore’s Starting XI
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| GK | Mahbud |
| Defense | Irfan Fandi, Harun, Lionel Tan |
| Midfield | Jacob Mahler, Shahiran, Nakamura, Song Ui-young |
| Attack | Stewart, Glenn Kweh, Shawal Anuar |
Key name to watch: Irfan Fandi – son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad!
Meet Vietnam’s "Big Three" Up Front
1. Nguyễn Xuân Son – "Vietnam’s Haaland"
- Nickname: Given by The Straits Times (Singapore’s top newspaper)
- Track record: Scored 3 goals vs Singapore in AFF Cup 2024
- Style: Strong, fast, clinical finisher – a defender’s nightmare
2. Nguyễn Đình Bắc – The Hat-Trick Hero
- Recent feat: Scored 3 goals in one game vs Timor-Leste (tournament opener)
- Momentum: Riding a massive confidence wave
- Fans’ hope: "Do it again against Singapore!"
3. Hoàng Hên – The Smart Playmaker
- Strength: Great football IQ + silky technical skills
- Role: Links midfield to attack, creates chances for others
- Bonus: Tài Lộc is back from injury and ready to sub in!
Return to Mỹ Đình – A Stadium with History
The Last Visit (Sept 2024)
| Opponent | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 0–3 | Friendly |
| Thailand | 1–2 | Friendly |
After that, Vietnam played "home" games elsewhere:
- ASEAN Cup 2024 title run: 4 games at Việt Trì (Phú Thọ)
- Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers: Bình Dương, Thống Nhất (HCMC), Thiên Trường (Ninh Bình)
Good News for the Pitch!
Past criticism: The pitch was terrible – bumpy, torn up by concerts.
Now: Fully renovated to tournament standards for AFF Cup. Should be perfect!
Head-to-Head: Vietnam Dominates
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Total meetings | 22 |
| Vietnam wins | 9 |
| Draws | 9 |
| Singapore wins | 4 |
| Last Singapore win | 1998 (Tiger Cup Final, 0–1) |
| Current streak | 16 games unbeaten (8W–8D) |
Mind-blowing fact: Singapore hasn’t beaten Vietnam in 28 years! All 4 losses happened in the 1990s.
Match Day Atmosphere (In Pictures)
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Fans pouring into Mỹ Đình |
 |
Players stretching, focused |
 |
Spectacular fan choreography |
Key Stats Visualized
Why This Match Matters (ELI5 Version)
Think of the AFF Cup like the Southeast Asian Championship.
- Group Stage: Teams play each other → Top 2 advance to Knockouts (quarterfinals, semis, final).
- This game: Vietnam vs Singapore in Group A.
- A win = 3 points, huge step toward quarterfinals.
- A draw = 1 point each, still okay but need results elsewhere.
- A loss = 0 points, pressure mounts for final group game.
Simple analogy: It’s like a video game tournament. Win now → easier path later. Lose → "hard mode" activated.
5 Things to Watch in the Second Half
- Can Xuân Son break the deadlock? He loves scoring vs Singapore.
- Will Đình Bắc continue his magic? Hat-trick hero → repeat performer?
- Quang Hải’s creativity – can he unlock a tight defense with a killer pass?
- Singapore’s counter-attacks – Shawal Anuar & Glenn Kweh are quick!
- Substitutions – Tài Lộc, Bùi Vĩ Hào, or Nguyễn Văn Toàn could change the game.
Summary
| What We Know | What’s Unknown |
|---|---|
| Vietnam lineup unchanged – attacking trio retained | Can Vietnam convert dominance into goals? |
| 16-game unbeaten streak vs Singapore | Will Singapore park the bus and hit on counter? |
| Mỹ Đình pitch is match-ready | Any tactical surprises from Coach Kim? |
| Xuân Son & Đình Bắc in red-hot form | Who steps up if the stars are marked tightly? |
| Half-time: 0–0 | Final score?? |
Bottom line: Vietnam are heavy favorites on paper, history, and form. But football is played on grass, not spreadsheets. The second half will tell the real story!
FAQ – Your Burning Questions Answered
Q1: What time does the second half start?
A: Approximately 8:45 PM (Vietnam time). Half-time break is usually 15 minutes.
Q2: Where can I watch if I don’t have FPT Play?
A: Check VTV5 or VTV Cần Thơ – they often broadcast national team games free-to-air. Also, many local cafés/restaurants show it live!
Q3: Why is Xuân Son called "Vietnam’s Haaland"?
A: Erling Haaland (Norway/Man City) is a big, fast, goal-machine striker. Xuân Son plays similarly – physical, clinical, scores lots. Singapore media coined it out of respect (and fear!)
Q4: What happens if Vietnam wins this group?
A: Group winner → Quarterfinal vs Group B Runner-up (likely easier path).
Group runner-up → Quarterfinal vs Group B Winner (tougher opponent).
Q5: Is Đình Bắc the new star of Vietnamese football?
A: He’s one of them! At 22, a hat-trick in your tournament debut is huge. But consistency over a full season (club + country) makes a true star. This game is his next big test.
Your Turn! What’s your score prediction? Drop it in the comments – let’s see who gets it right!
My guess: Vietnam 2–0 Singapore (Xuân Son & Đình Bắc on the scoresheet)
Source: 24h.com.vn | Reporter: Phong Đức | Published: 31/07/2026 12:20 PM (GMT+7)
