Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, Cong Phuong... compete for the 2021 Vietnam Golden Ball

The Vietnam Golden Ball is the most prestigious individual award in Vietnamese football, honoring individuals with outstanding achievements and excellent performance in 2021.

Today (December 13), the organizing committee of the Vietnam Golden Ball 2021 - Saigon Giai Phong newspaper announced the list of 19 candidates for the most prestigious award - men's Golden Ball.

They include: Bui Tan Truong, Tran Nguyen Manh, Que Ngoc Hai, Do Duy Manh, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Vu Van Thanh, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, Ho Tan Tai, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, Tran Minh Vuong, Phan Van Duc, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Trong Hoang.

18/19 of these candidates are competing in the 2020 AFF Cup, only Trong Hoang is being treated at home. It is expected that in the next few days, votes will be sent to coaches, experts, the media...

By January 3, 2022, the organizers will collect the votes back, and the awards will be announced at the Gala in February 2022.

Although there are 19 candidates, it is likely that the race to the most noble title will only be limited to some outstanding faces. Striker Tien Linh is a strong candidate as he played extremely well in the two stages of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Since June, the striker from Binh Duong has played 9 matches, scoring 5 goals against the UAE, Oman, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. In V.League 2021 - a tournament canceled after 12 rounds, Tien Linh also scored 6 goals after 11 appearances.

Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc had an explosive year of competition. He completely replaced Do Hung Dung in the Vietnam national team, playing 7 World Cup qualifiers with high performance. At Viettel, Hoang Duc played 12 matches in V.League 2021, scoring 1 goal with 3 assists; played 6 matches in AFC Champions League 2021, scoring 1 goal. On the evening of December 12, Hoang Duc scored a beautiful goal to help the Vietnamese team beat Malaysia 3-0 in the 2020 AFF Cup.

2018 Vietnam Golden Ball Nguyen Quang Hai continues to play steadily in 2021. He played in 8/9 World Cup qualifiers in 2021, scoring 2 goals and having 1 assist. At club level, this midfielder played more obscurely, scoring only 1 goal in 9 matches in V.League 2021.

Cong Phuong is expected to make a breakthrough if he continues to maintain good form at the AFF Cup 2020, where he scored 2 goals/2 matches. Previously, the striker born in 1995 played 7 World Cup qualifiers in 2021, scoring 1 goal. As for Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Cong Phuong played very well with 6 goals in 12 matches in V.League 2021.

The time to finalize the award voting is when the AFF Cup 2020 has just ended. Therefore, the performance and achievements of the players at the number 1 playground in the region will have a big impact on the final result. Vietnam is the reigning AFF Cup champion. If they successfully defend their title, the team in general and the players in general will end 2021 with many impressions.