The national team's top scorer Nguyen Tien Linh entered this year's tournament in poor physical condition, and was played in the same position by last season's V-League "Top Scorer" Rimario, so he could not demonstrate his inherent qualities. Having only scored 1 goal so far, Tien Linh will face even more competition when Becamex Binh Duong has just added Australian-born player Nicholas Olsen.

Coach Troussier gave Quang Hai the opportunity to play the full 90 minutes. Photo: Zingnews

Striker Nguyen Van Tung, a "second Tien Linh", the leading young hope of coach Troussier, also faces formidable competition from the powerful attacking team of defending champion Hanoi FC. In phase 1, when Van Quyet was suspended, Hung Dung and Xuan Tu were absent and foreign players played disappointingly, Van Tung was given more playing time. Unfortunately, he only scored one goal. On the national team, Van Tung was on the field in both friendly matches with Hong Kong (China) and Syria. He showed his dynamism and good running, so he had many opportunities to score. It is a pity that the young striker born in 2001 has not been able to score. Looking at the way he plays, it is clear that the young player still lacks experience in the context of requiring quick ball handling at the pace of the team as well as the maturity of the opponent's defense. Although the player has a lot of potential, he can only mature and improve when he experiences many high-level battles. When the domestic pillars return, when the foreign striker with impressive achievements Herlison Caion replaces the spearhead Lucao, will Van Tung have as much playing time as in phase 1? Similar to Van Tung, will Van Truong of Hanoi FC, Nham Manh Dung, Khuat Van Khang of Viettel FC or Quoc Viet of Hoang Anh Gia Lai... have the opportunity to thrive on the V-League playground?

Not only young players, even Quang Hai also had to find himself in the V-League. He still had the old style and lines, but his accuracy and sophistication were less. His off-beat passes and his signature left-footed shots now lacked feeling, sending the ball over the bar... Coach Troussier's straightforward words about the unworthiness of Quang Hai and Cong Phuong after a long time of not playing or playing too little, leading to a decline in performance, but he still created conditions for them to be brought to the national team for testing. In fact, his openness was somewhat responded to by these players. It is true that talent in football is not easily lost, it is just whether the player has passion and determination to overcome or not. At Cong An Ha Noi , the opportunity for Quang Hai to regain his form is very favorable because the club's leadership not only favors him but more importantly, trusts him.

Not only the attack, why is Hanoi FC targeting a new Korean central defender when they already have the most solid defense with Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Viet Anh? They must be reinforced and their competitiveness must be increased. Likewise, for Hanoi Police to balance both attack and defense, the goalkeeper position must be more reliable. Hanoi Police's ambition to compete for the championship and perform well in the continental arena next season requires unprecedented investment and upgrades. Therefore, goalkeeper Filip Nguyen joining Hanoi Police means that the future of the current number 1 goalkeeper of the Vietnamese national team, Dang Van Lam, is also facing a big challenge.

The more competitive the V-League is, the more challenges there will be for the players and stars. And that is an opportunity for them to develop when they are dedicated and devoted.

THUONG NGUYEN