The problem of the Vietnamese team's attack
In 1 month, the Vietnam National Team will compete in the AFF Cup 2024. In fact, there is not much time left, coach Kim Sang-sik is urgently zoning the force, looking for new factors for the national team. It is expected that 30 players will be selected by the Korean coach for a 3-week training session before the tournament takes place.
But the reality that Mr. Kim Sang-sik had to admit is that not many veteran players have had stable form and fitness in recent times. Speaking specifically about the strikers, Pham Tuan Hai has only played 300 minutes (out of a maximum of 540 minutes) in the 2024-2025 V.League for Hanoi FC. He has only scored 1 goal from the 11m mark.
If Tuan Hai's form is a question mark, Van Toan's injury makes Mr. Kim Sang-sik worried. The striker born in 1996 can recover in time for the AFF Cup 2024, but the preparation process for the tournament (including appearances in the V.League) is affected because of the intermittent frequency of matches.
Young strikers Vi Hao, Van Tung, and Quoc Viet have yet to make an impression in the V.League. Dinh Bac can be considered a rare case that is playing better under the guidance of coach Mano Polking at Hanoi Police.
"Lifebuoy" Tien Linh
Among the many problems in the Vietnamese national team's attack, coach Kim Sang-sik found a rare ray of light. That is Nguyen Tien Linh - the domestic striker with the best form in V.League 2024-2025.
After 7 matches for Binh Duong in the National Cup and V.League, Tien Linh scored 7 goals. More specifically, in 5 out of 7 appearances, the player from Hai Duong "scored". Since his professional debut 9 years ago, Tien Linh has had such an impressive start.
With just 6 goals scored by Tien Linh in V.League 2024-2025, Tien Linh shows diversity in finishing skills, observation and influence on the results of Binh Duong club.
The 1997-born player's double in the opening match against Thanh Hoa brought 3 points to the team from Thu Dau Mot. Immediately after that, he continued to score to help Binh Duong draw 1-1 with Hai Phong. In round 4, Tien Linh's goal contributed to the home team's 3-0 victory over Ho Chi Minh City. In round 6, the 27-year-old striker continued to bring home 2 goals to help Binh Duong make an impressive comeback against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. In terms of skills, Tien Linh showed diversity in scoring goals.
"To me, Tien Linh is no different from a foreign player," coach Hoang Anh Tuan shared when his student met his expectations.
The key to coach Hoang Anh Tuan's use of Tien Linh is that he simplifies and puts him in the right position. In a true number 9 position, Tien Linh has maximized his ability to find opportunities, converting them into goals for himself and the team.
This was unfortunately overlooked last season, under Mr. Le Huynh Duc, Tien Linh had to retreat to play as an attacking midfielder, leaving the goal-scoring role to Rimario in the attack.In addition, on the Vietnam National Team, his predecessor Philippe Troussier also wanted him to play wide and participate more in defense.Invisibly, Tien Linh's best skill, "scoring goals", was wasted.
