Vietnam and the striker vacuum: Pham Gia Hung and Xuan Son both leave the squad

Pham Gia Hung left the training camp in the final hours before Vietnam's match against Pakistan. Coach Kim Sang Sik made the decision quickly after the VFF confirmed the striker's family situation. At the same time, Xuan Son had already left the squad because of injury. Vietnam lost both of its most important attacking references at the ASEAN Cup. A team that relies on aerial threat, penalty-box pressure and direct finishing suddenly had no recognized focal point.\n\nThe Pakistan match becomes a severe test of squad depth. Vietnam has three points from two matches, with one win and one loss. The defeat to Thailand narrowed the path to the final. The realistic target now is second place, which means avoiding defeat against Pakistan. That sounds simple, but without Pham Gia Hung and Xuan Son, every attacking plan must be rewritten.\n\nIn my tracking files, Vietnam usually creates its best chances in the final third through crosses, second balls and early shots inside the box. Without both forwards, that structure loses its anchor. The most likely solution is more midfield possession, wider wing play and inside runs from players such as Nguyen Tien Linh. The expected goals output will probably fall because the team lacks proven finishing at the striker position.\n\nPakistan will likely defend deep. They do not need to take risks. If Vietnam cannot win aerial duels in the box, crosses become harmless. The first 30 minutes matter. When Vietnam fails to score early, its conversion rate in the second half tends to drop. Match density affects referees before data tables speak, and it affects makeshift forward lines even more.\n\nPublic opinion will be sympathetic to Pham Gia Hung. That is correct. A family tragedy should not become a target for blame. But emotion and results run on different tracks. If Vietnam wins, the story becomes one of resilience. If Vietnam draws or loses, the narrative will shift to a structural question: why does the national team depend on so few strikers?\n\nFrom a rules perspective, the handling of Pham Gia Hung's departure was compliant and compassionate. The VFF issued condolences. The coach prioritized the player's family. There is no disciplinary issue. The real weakness is long-term planning. A national team should not collapse when two forwards are unavailable.\n\nThe main risk against Pakistan is chance conversion. Vietnam may control the ball and create set pieces, but without a sharp center-forward, those chances can fade. The second risk is psychology. The longer the team goes without a goal, the more exposed it becomes on the counter. The long-term risk is academy development. Vietnam needs three or four international-level strikers, not one or two.\n\nFor Coach Kim Sang Sik, this is an adaptability test. A cautious approach may keep the team compact, but it can become sterile if Pakistan sits deep. A bolder plan would push full-backs high, ask midfielders to enter the box and treat set pieces as a primary weapon. My recommendation is threefold: use a false nine but flood the box, prioritize set pieces and prepare a two-striker plan for the second half if the score is level.\n\nVietnam needs a point or a win against Pakistan to secure second place. The goal is not huge, but the method has changed. If Vietnam succeeds, it will be a positive result in difficult circumstances. If Vietnam stalls, the problem will not be one player. It will be squad depth, striker development and long-term preparation. A win can calm public opinion. A long-term plan can solve the root cause.