Vietnam National Team: Xuan Son needs Hoang Hen to play in which position to maximize his impact

Do Hoang Hen will transform Vietnam's forward line into an extremely dangerous engine if coach Kim Sang-sik assigns him the most suitable role, space, and teammates.

The issue with Do Hoang Hen right now is not whether he has enough quality, but where the Vietnam national team should position him to fully exploit his threat. The most logical answer: Hen should play as a right-sided forward, or a "right-sided number 10" behind Nguyen Xuan Son, rather than being confined to a pure winger role.

Hen is a left-footed player who excels in first touch, tight-space maneuvering, and delivering the final pass. During his explosive spell with Nam Dinh, he was most dangerous not in runs down the flank, but when cutting inside between the center-back and full-back, receiving the ball between the lines, and then laying it off, threading passes, or taking shots himself. It is that "half-space" area where Hen can truly cause chaos for opposing defenses.

In his debut match for Vietnam against Bangladesh, it was clear that coach Kim Sang-sik was testing this idea. Hen was deployed as a right striker, supporting Pham Tuan Hai in the middle, while Hai Long played on the left. Although he didn't score, he brought a smoother rhythm to the attack. After the match, Hen admitted he was "not at 100% fitness," but emphasized that the team's victory was what mattered most.

In the match against Malaysia, with Xuan Son starting, the answer became even clearer.Hen does not need to play as the highest striker, as the role of finisher belongs to Xuan Son. What the team needs from Hen is the ability to draw defenders, create space, and deliver decisive passes. His cross for Xuan Son's header goal was a perfect example: Hen received the ball on the wing, but the damage came from a decision made in the final third, where he can use his left foot with great skill.

If Vietnam plays a 3-4-2-1 formation, the most dangerous setup would be Xuan Son as the central striker, Hoang Hen on the right, and another attacker like Hai Long or the recently introduced Khoa Ngo on the left. This trio creates three layers of threat: Son's hold-up play and finishing, Hen's creativity and dribbling, complemented by the energetic work rate of Hai Long or the tricky pace of Khoa Ngo.

The key is not to turn Hen into a backup center-forward. He can score goals, but his greatest value lies in making others score. Coach Kim once stated that Hen's presence gives the coaching staff additional options for creating scoring opportunities. The naturalized player himself affirmed, "I love Vietnam" and will strive to perform well for the national colors.

Therefore, for the Vietnam national team to be at its most dangerous, Do Hoang Hen needs to be positioned close to Xuan Son, but not on the same vertical line. He must be the right-sided blade, silently cutting into space, pulling the defensive system out of shape, and delivering the final pass. Then, "Son - Hen" will be not just an emotional story, but a genuine tactical weapon for coach Kim Sang-sik.