Lack of quality personnel
Compared to previous training sessions, coach Kim Sang-sik made significant adjustments to the forwards. Except for Pham Tuan Hai, who was injured, other players such as Nguyen Van Tung and Dinh Thanh Binh were eliminated. They were given opportunities but did not show any difference.
Nguyen Xuan Son (Rafaelson) has successfully naturalized but cannot play for the Vietnamese national team. The striker born in 1997 will not be eligible until early 2025.
In theory, the Vietnamese team has 6 strikers including Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Quoc Viet and Bui Vi Hao. Of these, Van Quyet, Tien Linh and Van Toan are experienced, while Quoc Viet, Dinh Bac and Vi Hao are considered "reserves".
Many of them have not even been able to play for the national team. However, finding a new option is not a simple matter. The current Vietnamese strikers all have their own problems.
For example, Vo Nguyen Hoang was not able to play in Thanh Hoa, Ha Minh Tuan was somewhat in decline in Da Nang, Cong Phuong failed in Japan and just joined Binh Phuoc.
Is Tien Linh enough?
Nguyen Van Quyet and Nguyen Tien Linh are the two players who bring the most confidence to fans at this time.
Van Quyet continues to show his top form that has been maintained for more than 10 years. In V.League 2024-2025, he scored 2 goals and helped Hanoi club win 6 points. Meanwhile, Tien Linh is leading the list of V.League top scorers with 4 goals.
In general, it would be difficult for Mr. Kim Sang-sik to choose another name. Tien Linh is definitely a key striker during this period. In fact, the player born in 1997 has a knack for scoring goals thanks to his finishing skills and good positioning. However, it cannot be denied that Tien Linh has many shortcomings that are difficult to overcome.
If the Vietnamese team is in good form and the whole team plays well, Tien Linh can still shine regularly. But when Quang Hai and Hoang Duc are in poor form, it is difficult to "force" the Binh Duong striker to solve the situation himself.
Obviously, Tien Linh alone is not enough. Except for Van Quyet who has shown his ability to play football at the age of 34, the remaining players have very low goal output.
In the current situation, coach Kim Sang-sik must calculate the most suitable tactics to promote the abilities of Tien Linh and Van Quyet.
Dinh Bac and Van Toan will play the supporting role on the sidelines. The simplest way is for the backline to provide enough balls for Tien Linh to convert dangerous opportunities into goals.
After nearly 10 years, Vietnamese football still has not found any new strikers.
