Vietnamese striker named player of the week in World Cup qualifiers

Linh dominated the votes with 73.38 percent, followed by Iranian star Sardar Azmoun (8.08 percent) and Saudi Arabia’s Firas Al Buraikan (8.2 percent).

In Vietnam’s two World Cup qualifiers in October, Linh played 171 minutes, contributed two goals and had a pass accuracy of 79 percent, although Vietnam lost 2-3 to China and 1-3 to Oman.

AFC said Linh "provided a major positive" by scoring on both matchdays despite his side’s defeats.

"Still only 23 years of age, the Becamex Binh Duong striker showed expert positioning and poise beyond his years to find the back of the net in Doha and Muscat, taking his individual tally to an excellent seven goals in the World Cup qualifiers," AFC wrote.

Vietnam will play the next two World Cup qualifiers at home in November, with Japan on the 11th and Saudi Arabia five days later.