Vietnamese player shines in V-League

The double against Hanoi FC is not only a breakout moment for Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong but could be a turning point in the career of the forward born in 2000.

In a season whereBecamex TP.HCMhas been struggling to find stability, Viet Cuong's emergence provides a foundation both technically and mentally.

Five goals after 15 matches is not an overly "monstrous" number compared to foreign strikers, but for a domestic forward, it is a significant achievement.

Especially when compared to his foreign teammate Oduenyi Ugochukwu (who needed 18 matches to score 4 goals), the efficiency ofViet Cuongbecomes even more impressive.

The player born in 2000 not only scores goals but also shows clear improvement in movement, positioning, and involvement in the overall play.

What is noteworthy isViet Cuonghas never had a breakout season like the current one since his V-League debut in 2019. After 8 seasons, with a total of 13 goals, this season alone accounts for nearly half. This is not a coincidence. It is the result of accumulated experience, self-improvement, and more importantly, growing confidence when given opportunities.

Possessing a height of 1.80m, good speed, and strong physical presence, Viet Cuong is gradually shaping himself into a modern striker. The player born in Binh Duong (now TP.HCM) is no longer a forward who only waits for chances inside the penalty area; he moves widely, stretches the defense, and creates space for teammates.

This off-the-ball play is precisely the factor that caught the eye of Kim Sang Sik. Viet Cuong is the choice to replace his former senior at the club, Nguyen Tien Linh.

At the national team level, although he hasn't had much time to showcase his skills, each appearance leaves an impression with his energy and aggressiveness. The match against Malaysia in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers is an example.

Although he didn't score, his bursts of speed and continuous pressure caused confusion in the opponent's defense. That is exactly whatCoach Kim Sang Sikneeds from a domestic forward. The forward he called up from Becamex TP.HCM has both physical fitness and understands the philosophy he wants to build.

However, to become a true "assassin," Viet Cuong still has work to do. His finishing ability sometimes lacks sharpness, especially in situations requiring absolute cold-bloodedness. This is also why Cuong is evaluated as "unlucky." But based on his current performance, it can be seen that Viet Cuong is gradually overcoming that limitation.

In reality, Becamex TP.HCM is still stuck in the relegation battle. With 19 points after 18 rounds, the team under General Director Dang Tran Chinh temporarily ranks 10th and is still struggling to avoid relegation.

Viet Cuong's rise is also a positive signal for the national team. Coach Kim Sang Sik can confidently continue to trust his student in the coming period. Viet Cuong is currently the second-best domestic scorer in the league, one goal behind midfielder Hoang Duc.

Naturalized player Hoang Hen is the Vietnamese national team player scoring best in the V-League currently with 9 goals, ranking 3rd in the V-League Golden Boot list.

With his current progress, Viet Cuong hopes not only to have a temporary burst but to gradually establish himself as a strategic asset for both his club and the national team.