HLV Kim Sang Sik's 'mysterious move' replacing Tiến Linh?

Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường called up to Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik to replace Tiến Linh after impressive form in V.League.

Tiến Linh, though named in the preliminary Vietnam national team list, did not appear in the latest official call-up. Meanwhile, his former teammate and junior in V.League, Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường, was unexpectedly called up to the national team. This change has attracted attention and raised many questions about form and coach Kim Sang Sik's decision.

Round 16 of V.League 2025/26 witnessed a forgettable performance by Tiến Linh when CA TP.HCM faced PVF-CAND. Instead of capitalizing on the "gift" opportunity to score, the captain of the home team at Thống Nhất Stadium had a disappointing match and quietly retreated to the dressing room, giving other players the chance to shine.

Việt Cường, forward of Becamex Bình Dương, is highly rated due to his recent stable form. In just a few recent matches, he has made a clear impression with 3 goals and 1 assist, notably scoring the only goal that helped his team create a "shock" against CA TP.HCM. This form led coach Kim Sang Sik to trust and give Việt Cường the opportunity in the Vietnam national team.

The 26-year-old forward not only scores but also becomes a key link in the gameplay. He plays diversely, capable of finishing himself or dropping deep to create assists, generating many dangerous situations near the penalty area. This is the factor that makes Việt Cường stand out compared to teammates in the same position, and is the main reason he was called up to replace Tiến Linh.

Việt Cường is not a new face in the Vietnam national team. Previously, he was called up when the team faced Laos in the final qualifying round for Asian Cup 2027, but did not get a chance to play. Under coach Park Hang Seo, Việt Cường was also frequently called up to youth teams and the national team, but had not yet proven his ability at the highest level.

This call-up opens a major opportunity for Việt Cường to prove himself. With his current form, he could fully become a combination of former renowned forwards like Nguyễn Anh Đức or Nguyễn Tiến Linh. The opportunity in the Vietnam national team is a deserved reward for the continuous effort of the young Becamex TP.HCM forward.