Nguyen Dinh Bac, a forward for the Vietnamese national team, is experiencing health problems that have caused significant concern for coach Kim Sang Sik ahead of the upcoming match against Malaysia. This match, scheduled for October 5, is crucial as it is the third-place playoff in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

During the team's final training session on October 4, it was noted that both Dinh Bac and teammate Bui Hoang Viet Anh were training separately with the team doctor. While Viet Anh is expected to recover in time for the match, Dinh Bac's situation remains uncertain, which has left the coaching staff worried.

Although the specifics of Dinh Bac's injury have not been disclosed, his inability to participate in warm-up exercises with his teammates is concerning. If the striker from Hanoi Police FC is unable to play, it would be a significant loss for the Vietnamese team, especially after the injury of another key player, Xuan Son, who has already been ruled out.

Fans are hopeful that Dinh Bac is only dealing with a minor muscle strain and can still contribute to the match against Malaysia. Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged the challenges posed by the current injury crisis, stating, “The team has lost several players due to muscle injuries. With a limited number of available players, making substitutions in the second half will be somewhat difficult. However, in challenging circumstances, the entire team must unite to achieve victory in tomorrow's match.”

Despite the absence of a full-strength squad, the South Korean coach remains optimistic. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well, saying, “Even though this is just a third-place playoff, the entire team accepts the reality and strives to achieve the best possible result, aiming to present a positive image to our fans.”

The match between Vietnam and Malaysia is set to kick off at 16:00 local time at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.