Tien Linh, you need to speed up!

In their opening match of Group A at the 2024 AFF Cup, the Thai national team secured a resounding 10-0 victory over Timor Leste, largely thanks to the contributions of strikers Patrik Gustavsson (1 goal), Suphanat Mueanta (2 goals), and Teerasak Poeiphimai (2 goals). Just one day later, in their opening match of Group B, the Vietnamese national team defeated the host nation Laos 4-1, with two goals scored by strikers Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Van Toan (the remaining two goals were scored by midfielder Nguyen Hai Long and defender Nguyen Van Vi). While Vietnam currently trails Thailand in terms of goals scored, the AFF Cup this year is still quite long, offering a great opportunity for our players to improve.

At the 2022 AFF Cup, Tien Linh shared the top scorer title (with a Thai striker). At the 2024 AFF Cup, he was highly regarded by the Southeast Asian Football Federation, and regional media included him in the list of candidates for the top scorer title, along with Suphanat Mueanta and Patrik Gustavsson (Thailand).

ADVANTAGES OF TIEN LINH AND HIS COMPETITORS

The race for the top scorer title will be very exciting from a professional standpoint. In the Vietnamese team's tactical scheme and playing style, Tien Linh receives great support from his teammates. In the recent match where Vietnam beat Laos, young striker Bui Vi Hao always prioritized passing the ball to Tien Linh when he spotted his senior teammate in a favorable position. Other teammates around Tien Linh, such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Ho Tan Tai, do the same. They have played with Tien Linh for a long time and have a good understanding with the striker currently playing for Binh Duong Club. The Vietnamese players always place their trust in the goal-scoring ability of the striker who won the top scorer title at the 2022 AFF Cup, so they don't hesitate to create opportunities for Tien Linh.

As for Patrik Gustavsson of the Thai national team, he is also a highly astute goalscorer. The Swedish-born striker plays as the furthest forward in the Thai attack and is often given priority by teammates like Ben Davis, Supachok Sarachat, and Ekanit Panya to finish off attacks and threaten the opponent's goal.

Another advantage for the top scorer candidates is that they all play for teams considered strong contenders for the championship, giving these teams a good chance of progressing far in the 2024 AFF Cup. If both Vietnam and Thailand reach the final, strikers like Tien Linh and Gustavsson will have a greater chance of scoring than other teams.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuoc-dua-ngam-giua-cac-tien-dao-viet-nam-va-thai-lan-tien-linh-hay-mau-but-toc-185241213002123688.htm