ASEAN Cup creates a big turning point for the 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball award.
In the past calendar year, Nguyen Xuan Son spent most of his playing time as a foreign player. In the Southeast Asian Championship, Son played from the last match of the group stage against Myanmar but still managed to score 7 goals and have 2 assists after only 5 matches.
When Nguyen Xuan Son was not on the list of candidates for the Golden Ball, things became even more unpredictable. Initially, the deadline for players, coaches, experts and sports reporters to vote was before the ASEAN Cup 2024. But the organizing committee proactively extended the deadline until after the first leg of the final.
This decision opened an important turning point for this year's award. Hoang Duc did not play well in the group stage but surprisingly improved his performance from the semi-finals. The midfielder born in 1998 became the "boss" of the midfield. Not only did he maintain his own qualities, he also fought strongly for the ball and controlled the situation on the field.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Tien Linh plays as a striker. The captain of Binh Duong still plays well, is a player with high performance in V.League. When playing for the Vietnam national team, he continues to score goals. Of course, this player's role is somewhat overshadowed when Nguyen Xuan Son carries the national team.
In general, while Xuan Son is not yet qualified to win the Golden Ball, no player is truly outstanding enough to win absolutely. Hoang Duc and Tien Linh possess many individual strengths, both contributing significantly to the achievement of winning the 2024 ASEAN Cup championship.
Among the top 3 players who made it to the final list, Doan Ngoc Tan unexpectedly emerged as a potential candidate. His fighting spirit, enthusiasm and bravery helped the midfielder of Dong A Thanh Hoa become a “treasure” in the hands of coach Kim Sang-sik.
The organizers of the 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball Award created conditions for some names outside the 30-person nomination list to still have a chance to win the title.
Doan Ngoc Tan is the most typical example. He received a large number of votes and could completely make a small surprise with the Bronze Ball title.
The 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball award ceremony is expected to take place in February 2025.
