Xuân Son scores a hat-trick, Tiến Linh also finds the net.

The V-League 2025/26 season is approaching its last matchdays, with all eyes on the title fight, survival, or top-three contention. Yet, aside from those big narratives, there is an under-the-radar rivalry brewing between two strikers who previously shared a bond while playing for the national team.

It is neither the race for the Golden Boot nor the battle for trophies, but rather a journey to rediscover oneself ofXuân Sonand Tiến Linhbefore they embark on important missions with the national team.

On the evening of May 31, Xuân Son delivered his most explosive performance since the start of the season by scoring a hat-trick against SLNA.

Those three goals not only helpedNam Địnhsecure a victory but also held special significance for the naturalized striker personally. Prior to this, Son had endured a difficult period, scoring only 3 goals in 12 V-League matches.

A rather modest output compared to the caliber and expectations for a striker who once dominated Vietnam's top league.

Doubts began to emerge. Many wondered whether Xuân Son was losing his goal-scoring instincts. Therefore, the hat-trick against SLNA was like the strongest statement from the striker born in 1997.

After just one match, Son raised his tally to 6 goals in 13 appearances and returned to the group of top local scorers this season. More important than the numbers, what Xuân Son regained was his confidence.

As the Vietnam national team prepares to gather for the ASEAN Cup 2026, the form of this striker is certainly a positive signal for coach Kim Sang Sik. An energetic, hungry, and sharp Xuân Son in front of goal has always been a valuable weapon for the national team.

On the other hand, Tiến Linh is quietly sending his own message. This season has not been an easy period for the top striker of CLB Công an TP.HCM.

However, the goal against Thể Công Viettel in round 25 could be a crucial turning point. In a situation where Khoa Ngô took a shot, Tiến Linh displayed the instinct of a center-forward by arriving at the right moment to tap the ball into the net.

That was the fifth goal of the season for the 1997-born player, not particularly eye-catching statistically but enough to instill belief that the goal-scoring instinct remains intact in the striker from Hải Dương.

Tiến Linh's resurgence also comes at a very important time. Ahead of him are still the final V-League round and especially the National Cup competition. This will be an opportunity for the 28-year-old striker to continue impressing coach Kim Sang-sik before the national team enters the most crucial preparation phase for the ASEAN Cup 2026.

Interestingly, the competition between Tiến Linh and Xuân Son is not just about individual statistics. It is also tied to the top-five race of their two clubs. Nam Định currently sits 6th with 34 points, just one point behind Công an TP.HCM.

The final round promises to be unpredictable as Công an TP.HCM must travel to face Hà Nội FC, while Nam Định heads to Hải Phòng. The slender gap means everything can still change.

Even more notably, fate has arranged for Tiến Linh and Xuân Son to face each other directly in the National Cup semifinals next month. It is not only a battle between two forwards rediscovering their form but also a match that could decide the success or failure of the entire season for both clubs.

A National Cup title along with a ticket to an international competition would be a prize big enough for both to fight to the very end.