Nguyen Tien Linh shortlisted for Golden Ball award

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh is expected to win his first Golden Ball statue after his impressive performances in 2022. VNA/VNS Photo 

The organisers of the Golden Ball Award have announced the short list of candidates for the nation's most valuable players of 2022. The awards ceremony will be held on February 25 in Ho Chi Minh city.

Nguyen Tien Linh of Becamex Binh Duong is shortlisted along with defender Do Hung Dung and striker Nguyen Van Quyet of Ha Noi FC, midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc of Viettel and goalkeeper Dang Van Lam of Binh Dinh.

Linh put in some outstanding performances at the AFF Cup which saw Vietnam finish in second place. He scored six goals to be one of two top scorers. He was the first time Vietnamese player to win this title and was selected in the tournament's Best XI.

The Hai Duong-born striker was also member of the Vietnam team that triumphed at the 31st SEA Games.

As well as his international success, Linh was also the second-highest scorer in the 2022 V.League. The Becamex Binh Duong striker finished the season with nine goals.

These achievements have made him a favourite to win the award.

“Being in the top five is a deserved result for all named players. The chance to win is equal between the five who made an individual 'imprint' on their clubs and the national team," said Linh who won a Bronze Ball in 2021.

"The one who wins the Golden Ball will receive sweet recognition for his contribution in 2022. In the previous year, I played different tournaments at both domestic and international levels. I experienced both defeat and success but I always did my best and tried to maintain myself to contribute more for both teams, helped by the support of family, friends and supporters," the 25-year-old said.

Striker Huynh Nhu is one of five female players shortlisted for the Golden Ball award. Photo of Lank FC

On the women's side, striker Huynh Nhu is the favourite to win the Golden Ball award for a record fifth time next month.

Nhu, currently playing for Portuguese side Lank FC, is one of five players in the Best Female Footballer category. She will vie against goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, midfielders Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy and Tran Thi Thuy Trang of Ho Chi Minh city FC and midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung of Phong Phu Ha Nam FC.

Nhu joined Lank last August and has put in a number of impressive performances since then. The 31-year-old scored five goals and provided two assists for her club in all domestic tournaments. 

Lank recently ranked Nhu as their third-best player in the 2022-23 season. Earlier, she was voted player of one match of the Portuguese Liga BPI and advanced to the Best XI of the sixth round in November.

Before leaving for the European club, the national team captain led Vietnam to win the sixth SEA Games title. Under her leadership, Vietnam secured a place in the finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

If Nhu wins on February 25, she will be the first Vietnamese player to win five times in history. She previously won the award in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

In other categories, Khuat Van Khang (Viettel FC), Nguyen Phi Hoang (SHB Da Nang) and Phan Tuan Tai (Dak Lak) are three final candidates for the Best Young Player of 2022.

Teammates Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha, Vu Thị Hoa and Ngan Thi Van Su of Ha Noi are nominated for Best Young Female Player of 2022.

The Best Foreign Player of 2022 candidates are Rimario Allando Gordon (Hai Phong FC), Lucas Vinicius (Ha Noi FC) and Jermie Dwayne Lynch (Binh Dinh FC). Gordon was more favoured as he was the best V.League 1 scorer with 17 goals.

In futsal, Khong Dinh Hung and Lam Tan Phat of Sahako FC, Ho Van Y, Nguyen Manh Dung, Chau Doan Phat of Thai Son Nam FC will vie for the Golden Ball statue.

VNS