'The Unfamiliar Bird' surpasses Tiến Linh, convincing Coach Kim Sang Sik

While Nguyễn Tiến Linh struggles amidst a performance crisis, Phạm Gia Hưng emerges as a testament that opportunities always belong to those who seize them. This time, Coach Kim Sang Sik demonstrates changes in the Vietnam national team's offensive line.

After many years where he could be "defaulted" as the number one in the Vietnam national team's attack, Tiến Linh has been excluded from the list by Coach Kim Sang Sik. The striker once considered very close to the Korean coach, from the pitch to daily life, no longer enjoys the same favor as before.

Tiến Linh's position in the national team has never been as shaky as it is now. A streak of over 12 matches without scoring is not just a statistic; it clearly reflects a decline in his feel for the ball, match mentality, and confidence of the striker who was once the primary hope on the attack.

From being the third-highest scorer in the history of Vietnamese football, trailing only the legendary Lê Huỳnh Đức by exactly one goal, Tiến Linh may lose the chance to surpass even his current head coach at CATP.HCM Club.

At 29 years old, Tiến Linh seemed to have perfected himself in the most positive direction, but now faces a major career shock. Tiến Linh needs to rely on a psychologist to help him overcome this difficult phase.

Meanwhile, football is always evolving, and when one door closes, another opens. And the person stepping through that door is Phạm Gia Hưng.

At 26, the striker from Ninh Bình is no longer a young talent, but carries the aura of a "late bloomer." His path rising from the First Division, through clubs like Đắk Lắk, PVF CAND, and CAHN, has given Gia Hưng enough accumulated experience to make his mark at the right moment.

What convinced Coach Kim Sang Sik about Gia Hưng is not just numbers but also form. 4 goals since the start of the season, including 2 in the last two matches against CAHN and PVF CAND, are the clearest evidence.

Particularly, the goal securing the 3-2 victory over PVF CAND wasn't just about 3 points. It propelled Ninh Bình into the National Cup semifinals against Thể Công Viettel, maintaining hopes for winning the Cup this season.

The victory on March 21st also served to relieve pressure for the entire Ninh Bình team. In the moment of scoring against PVF CAND, Gia Hưng demonstrated his value to continue writing hopes for a title for his team.

Coach Vũ Tiến Thành understands his student's capabilities. The HAGL Technical Director is willing to replace a foreign player with Gia Hưng to utilize his strength and finishing skills, even if it might provoke reactions. Mr. Thành believes the 2000-born striker is not inferior to foreign players thanks to his 1.81m physique and fearless playing style.

Gia Hưng often enters the field around the 60th minute not merely for tactical reasons but also to maximize the energy and sharpness of this striker when opponents are fatigued. And the 26-year-old scorer has not disappointed Mr. Thành.

Compared to Tiến Linh, Gia Hưng presents a different image. This striker's play isn't overly flashy but is currently far more effective. With a physique not inferior to his senior, Gia Hưng is more eager and sharper in the penalty area. Gia Hưng fits the philosophy of pragmatic football, maintaining stability, a factor coaches highly value.

It's no coincidence that Gia Hưng continues to be named in the March call-up list, alongside names like Nguyễn Xuân Son, Phạm Tuấn Hải, or Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường. Within this group, Gia Hưng is even the one with the best current form.

On the other side, Tiến Linh faces a harsh reality. Top-level football doesn't wait for anyone. The Vietnam Golden Ball 2024 winner, who scored many crucial goals for both club and national team, but the present is now the most important.

Notably, Gia Hưng's rise isn't just a personal story. It also reflects how Coach Kim Sang Sik fosters healthy competition within the national team. The Ninh Bình striker stands before the biggest opportunity of his career. Playing in the national team environment, testing himself in international matches, where he can continue refining himself and become a crucial piece for the future.

Football is always harsh, but also very fair. And at this moment, if he knows how to seize the opportunity, Gia Hưng fully has the chance to continue writing his own story.