Pressure of Tien Linh

Tien Linh was surpassed in the race for V.League's top scorer - Photo: Becamex Binh Duong FC .

V.League 2024/25 is gradually coming to an end, Nam Dinh is getting closer to the championship for the second consecutive time. At the same time, the race for the Golden Boot is also heating up with the rise of the strikers. However, Nguyen Tien Linh is at a disadvantage in this race.

Binh Duong's main striker was not only surpassed in the scoring rankings, but also lost his form right at the pivotal stage of the season.

After round 23, Tien Linh and Ribamar (Thanh Hoa) temporarily shared the top spot on the scoring list with 11 goals. However, the situation changed after the early matches of round 24. Lucao, a striker from Hai Phong, shone with a double against The Cong Viettel to take the lead with 12 goals. At the same time, Pedro Henrique of the army team also scored another goal, rising to the same level as Tien Linh.

While the opponents accelerated, Tien Linh continued to be silent in Binh Duong's 2-0 victory over Ho Chi Minh City. He missed many clear opportunities in recent rounds, had poor ball control and indecisive finishing situations.

Tien Linh’s “silence” not only affects his personal race in the V.League but also puts great pressure on himself in the Vietnam national team. Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the team is aiming for a flexible playing style and prioritizing current form. That means any player who cannot maintain stability can lose his position.

Tien Linh needs a goal to relieve pressure - Photo: Becamex Binh Duong FC .

For Tien Linh, that risk is real. Cong Phuong has just returned and is the top scorer in the First Division. Tuan Hai is still an intelligent off-ball movement and versatile finishing option. The competition in the national team's attack has never been as fierce as it is now.

Tien Linh was a hero in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers with 8 goals, contributing greatly to the historic journey of the Vietnamese team to the final qualifying round. He is also one of the few domestic strikers who have maintained high performance for many seasons. But football is a harsh game, where past glory cannot guarantee a position in the present.

The upcoming match against Malaysia in the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers is an opportunity and could also be a turning point for Tien Linh personally. An impressive performance will help him not only regain the trust of the coaching staff but also relieve the pressure that has been weighing on him for a long time.

From the time of Coach Park Hang-seo to Coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam team has always needed a striker who can act as a wall, create pressure and score consistently. If he cannot do that, Tien Linh will be the one to push himself out of the game.

No one doubts Tien Linh's class and experience. But the current moment requires more than that, decisiveness, sharpness and the courage to overcome the crisis. From a striker who has scored against the UAE, China and Indonesia, Tien Linh is facing the challenge to affirm that he is still the number one in the Vietnamese national team's attack.

Of course, that needs to be proven in the match against Malaysia, a match where not only the team, but he himself is in dire need of goals.

Source: https://znews.vn/ap-luc-cua-tien-linh-post1555632.html