Ho Chi Minh City, 6 October 2025 – Nguyen Tien Linh has expressed his determination to help Vietnam secure victories in both upcoming matches against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, while also sharing his views on Malaysia’s recent disciplinary ban.
On the afternoon of October 6, ahead of Vietnam’s training session preparing for their two encounters with Nepal in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, striker Nguyen Tien Linh spoke about the team’s preparations, squad strength, and his personal goals for the upcoming matches.
Discussing the composition of the national team this time, Tien Linh described it as an exciting blend of young players experiencing their first call-ups and seasoned veterans who have long contributed to the squad. “This will be an important test for us as a team. I hope we can complete our mission successfully in both matches against Nepal,” he affirmed.
The 28-year-old striker highlighted the enthusiasm and hunger of the younger generation: “They are showing great spirit and determination to prove themselves. These are promising talents for the future of Vietnamese football. The upcoming matches will be valuable opportunities for them to gain experience and grow. I believe the young players will bring a fresh and energetic image to the national team.”
Speaking about his personal ambitions, the Ho Chi Minh City FC forward shared: “For a striker, scoring goals is always the top goal in every match, whether for club or country. In the friendly against Laos last March in Binh Duong, I was a bit unlucky not to score. Against Nepal, I’ll try to perform better and bring goals to the team.”
Looking ahead to the qualification campaign, Tien Linh made clear the team’s objectives: “Right now, our immediate target is to win both matches against Nepal. In November, we’ll meet Laos again and aim for another three points. Then in March, when we host Malaysia, we’ll give everything to secure a full victory and keep our qualification hopes alive.”
When asked about Malaysia’s recent punishment for fielding ineligible players, Tien Linh remained focused: “That’s a matter for FIFA and AFC. Our responsibility is to stay concentrated on our own goals. Regardless of whether Malaysia participates or not, the key for us is to improve every day, show progress in each training session, and perform better with every game.”
Reflecting on Vietnam’s earlier loss to Malaysia, he said candidly: “Their naturalized players are technically strong and make a big difference. We fought hard and gave our best, but unfortunately, the result wasn’t what we wanted. I believe that if we meet them again in March, Vietnam will show a new face and play much better.”
Tien Linh’s words reflect both his leadership and his ambition to help Vietnam regain momentum on their journey toward the 2027 Asian Cup — a mission that begins with two crucial matches against Nepal later this month.
Thanh Trang
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