Tien Linh: Thong Nhat Stadium is not good for Vietnam's strikers to compete

Speaking after the narrow 1-0 win over Nepal, striker Nguyen Tien Linh said that Thong Nhat Stadium's surface was not good enough for the Vietnamese team's strikers to play more smoothly.

Tien Linh was disappointed when his shot hit the crossbar in the first half - Photo: NK

On the evening of October 14, the Vietnamese team barely won 1-0 against Nepal in the second leg at Thong Nhat Stadium in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. The only goal of the match was scored by a Nepalese player who scored an own goal in the first half.

Similar to the first leg, the Vietnamese team created many scoring opportunities but all ended in failure. Especially the crossbar and the goalpost saved Nepal.

Speaking after the match, Tien Linh said: "Before the match there was a very heavy rain, affecting the playing field and the playing style of both teams.

Everyone has seen that Thong Nhat Stadium cannot guarantee the playing style of both teams. The Vietnam team created many scoring opportunities but missed them all, the main reason is that the field is not good, there are puddles of water that slow down the speed of the ball.

But the whole team played hard. We would like to dedicate this victory to the football fans in Ho Chi Minh City who came in the rain to cheer for the Vietnamese team."

Thong Nhat Stadium's waterlogged surface after heavy rain affected the play of both teams - Photo: NK

"Before the match, what did coach Kim Sang Sik discuss with the Vietnamese team's strikers, especially Tien Linh?", the reporter asked.

Tien Linh replied: "The goal of the Vietnamese team today is to score as many goals as possible. But the pitch today is not really good for the Vietnamese team's strikers to be able to play more smoothly.

After today's match, the Vietnamese team will have a training session during FIFA Days next November to prepare for the match against Laos in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. We will try and make more efforts to get a good result on the Lao field."

Talking about the opportunity for the U23 Vietnam players to start as well as come on as substitutes in the second leg, Tien Linh shared: "The young players were given the opportunity by the head coach, that is the reward for your efforts in the past time. Especially in the future, there are many tournaments waiting for all of you.

Today, you have shown a lot of effort and desire to contribute to the national team. I believe that in the future, the young players will improve and play better to bring many victories to the Vietnamese team."

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NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tien-linh-mat-san-thong-nhat-khong-tot-de-hang-cong-tuyen-viet-nam-thi-dau-2025101423424539.htm