Is Tien Linh good?

After winning the 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball, Tien Linh still faces many skeptical eyes about his true ability. And this match is the opportunity for him to prove his worth in the most convincing way.

Get rid of the "wooden leg" label

Despite his impressive record of 23 goals and 3 assists in 2024, including two ASEAN Cup finals in early 2025, Tien Linh is still doubted by some fans about his ability. The Binh Duong Club striker is always labeled as a "wooden leg" just because his first-step ball handling ability is not really smooth. This is something that many other Vietnamese players probably suffer from, not just Linh.

However, football is not just about moments but also a long-term process. Tien Linh constantly improves himself to become one of the leading strikers of Vietnamese football.

The 2024 Golden Ball winner may not be good at blocking the first step, but in terms of being sensitive in choosing favorable positions to score goals, it seems that contemporary Vietnamese football has not found anyone like Linh. Commenting on Tien Linh, veteran coach Phan Thanh Hung admitted that the player born in 1997 is the number one striker of the national team and Vietnamese football.

“In recent years, there have been a few young faces emerging, expected to follow in Tien Linh’s footsteps. But over time, no talent has really broken through. In terms of the center forward position, Tien Linh is still the top choice for the current Vietnam team, especially after Xuan Son suffered a long-term injury,” said Mr. Hung.

Nguyen Tien Linh is the number one striker of his generation.

Statistics don't lie

Looking at the statistics, it is clear that Tien Linh is one of the excellent strikers of the generation of players born in 1990 and later. He scored a total of 67 goals in V.League, entering the top 10 scorers in the history of this tournament.

At the national team level, Linh currently has 25 goals, ranking third in the list of Vietnam's greatest strikers. These numbers are the clearest proof of his true ability.

No Vietnamese player from the 95-97 generation (with the miracle of Thuong Chau) has a more impressive scoring record than Tien Linh. And with this form, it is very likely that for at least 5 more years, he will still be the leading scorer of Vietnamese football.

Returning to the match between Vietnam and Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Kim Sang-sik set a goal of winning all 3 points with many goals scored. This was also the task assigned directly to Tien Linh right at the press conference before the match on March 24.

Coach Kim Sang Sik assigned Tien Linh direct duties in the match against Laos. Photo: VFF .

Familiarity with Binh Duong’s pitch, along with the advantage of facing a lower-rated opponent, will be an opportunity for Tien Linh to shine. If he can make the most of the situations, an excellent performance can help him erase doubts and firmly affirm his position in the Vietnam national team.

In football, every match brings an opportunity to change prejudices and write a new story. Tonight's match is not only an opportunity for the Vietnamese team to take another step forward in their journey to the 2027 Asian Cup, but also an important moment for Tien Linh to prove that he deserves the title of Vietnam Golden Ball 2024.

Source: https://znews.vn/tien-linh-co-gioi-khong-post1540585.html