Vietnam national team striker Nguyen Tien Linh shared some insightful thoughts during the team’s first training session as they prepare for the upcoming AFF Cup 2024.
Reflecting on the importance of this training camp, Tien Linh expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the national team squad: “Like all the players, I am very happy to be included in this training camp. We are all excited to showcase ourselves in the upcoming tournament, and we hope to train hard, absorb the coach’s philosophy, and perform well in this AFF Cup season.”
He also highlighted the eagerness and dedication of the younger players, saying, “The younger players are working very hard and showing a strong desire to prove themselves, not only in training sessions but also in preparation for the upcoming tournament. I hope that both the senior players and the younger ones will demonstrate the spirit of Vietnam and achieve the goals that the whole team has set.”
Tien Linh also addressed the challenges that Vietnam will face in the upcoming AFF Cup, particularly against a tough opponent like Indonesia. “The upcoming tournament will be challenging not only for Vietnam but for other strong Southeast Asian teams like Indonesia. They will show their best performances and represent the spirit of their country,” he said. “Indonesia is one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia. Recently, they have quality naturalized players, and they have been performing well in the third round of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, including an unexpected victory over Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Indonesia is definitely one of the top contenders for the title.”
Regarding the absences of key players such as Do Hung Dung, Que Ngoc Hai, and Nguyen Cong Phuong from the training camp, Tien Linh acknowledged that the decision was up to the coach and emphasized the importance of respecting those choices: “It’s the coach’s decision, and we have to respect that. We hope the players who are selected for the tournament will perform well so the coach can make the best choices for the final squad.”
When asked about the absence of naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son from the training camp, Tien Linh praised Son’s contribution to Vietnamese football in recent years: “Xuan Son has been a very important player for Vietnamese football in recent years. If he were called up, it wouldn’t be surprising given his excellent performances in V.League.”
Meanwhile, Doan Ngoc Tan, a player called up for the first time to the national team, expressed his excitement and determination to adapt quickly to the team’s style of play: “When I found out I was called up to the national team, I was surprised and happy. I will try to adapt to the playing style and system of the coaching staff to integrate as quickly as possible.” He further added, “This is my first time with the national team, so I feel a bit nervous, but I’m gradually adjusting. Before coming here, Coach Popov told me to fight with the same determination as I’ve shown at Thanh Hoa FC.”
With the tournament approaching, both Tien Linh and Doan Ngoc Tan’s commitment and enthusiasm reflect the optimism and high expectations the team holds for the upcoming AFF Cup.
Leave a Reply