A surprising option emerges to replace Tiến Linh in the crucial match against Malaysia

As the Vietnam national team prepares for the March 2026 FIFA Days with an important match against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Kim Sang-sik is reportedly considering a notable personnel change in the attacking line.

Specifically, winger Lâm Ti Phông from Thép Xanh Nam Định is emerging as a strong candidate to be called up as a replacement for Nguyễn Tiến Linh, who is currently dealing with an injury. Lâm Ti Phông was born on February 1, 1996, in Sơn Tịnh, Quảng Ngãi, and developed through the youth academy of Sanna Khánh Hòa club.

In 2015, he was promoted to the first team and began his professional career. After leaving Khánh Hòa in 2020, Ti Phông played for TP.HCM (2020–2022) and Đông Á Thanh Hóa (2023–2025), before transferring to Thép Xanh Nam Định in March 2025.

Since joining the Nam Định club, Lâm Ti Phông has shown clear improvement in both skill and competitive mindset. This season, he has appeared in 21 matches across all competitions, playing a total of 1,189 minutes, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists. Besides his goal-scoring ability, Lâm Ti Phông is also highly valued for his versatility.

Besides his main position as a winger, he can also play as a supporting striker, helping link up play, stretching the opponent’s defense, and creating space for teammates. These qualities align well with the possession and transition philosophy that coach Kim Sang-sik is implementing for the Vietnam team.

Another key factor that raises Lâm Ti Phông’s value is his chemistry with Nguyễn Xuân Son, the leading striker of Thép Xanh Nam Định. This duo has often combined effectively in the V.League, producing sharp attacking moves. If called up to the Vietnam national team, this partnership could become a potent weapon, especially given Tiến Linh’s current fitness issues.

In terms of team achievements, Lâm Ti Phông also has an impressive track record. He won the 2023 National Cup twice and the 2023 National Super Cup with Đông Á Thanh Hóa. Notably, in the 2024/2025 season, he continued his success by winning the V.League title with Thép Xanh Nam Định.

Standing 1.68 meters tall and weighing 65 kilograms, Lâm Ti Phông is not a physically imposing player, but he compensates with speed, technique, and strong game intelligence. The transfer specialist site Transfermarkt currently values him at 200,000 euros. With Tiến Linh sidelined by injury, the likelihood of Lâm Ti Phông being called up to the Vietnam national team has never been higher.

If coach Kim Sang-sik decides to summon him as a substitute for Tiến Linh during the March 2026 FIFA Days, it will mark a significant turning point in the Quảng-born striker’s career and provide the Vietnam team with an additional quality option for their upcoming campaign.