The race for the top scorer title at the AFF Cup 2022: A two-horse race between Dangda and Tien Linh?

After 20 group stage matches, 79 goals have been scored, averaging 3.95 goals per game. Teerasil Dangda is currently leading the scoring charts with 5 goals, temporarily ahead of the second-placed player who has 3 goals. This is a significant advantage for the Thai national team's number 10 striker in the race for the Golden Boot this year.

Teerasil Dangda (10) is still one of the best strikers in Southeast Asia. Photo courtesy of FAT.

However, Thailand's opponent in the semi-finals will be Malaysia, a very formidable opponent in Southeast Asia. In previous encounters with Malaysia, the 34-year-old striker has only scored two goals, but those two goals were scored more than 10 years ago at the 2012 AFF Cup. Therefore, Teerasil Dangda will have to work very hard to increase his goal tally in the two semi-final matches against Malaysia.

Another contender for the top scorer title.AFF Cup 2022That's striker Nguyen Tien Linh of the Vietnamese national team. The 25-year-old striker has scored 3 goals in 4 matches in Group B. Although Dangda is 2 goals ahead in the standings, the opportunity for the striker from Becamex Binh Duong Club is still very much there. Especially when the Vietnamese national team will face the Indonesian national team in the semi-finals. This is a favorite "prey" for Nguyen Tien Linh, as he has scored 2 goals in 3 encounters with the "Land of a Thousand Islands" at the national team level. In addition, Tien Linh also scored one goal against the U23 Indonesian team at the recent SEA Games 31.

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh scored the opening goal in the match against the Laos national team. (Photo: VFF)

Nguyen Tien Linh's knack for scoring against the Indonesian national team is the basis for the Vietnamese national team's confidence in their clash with coach Shin Tae-yong's squad in the semi-finals of the 2022 AFF Cup. Hopefully, Tien Linh will improve his performance in this year's tournament and bring victory home for the team.Vietnam National Team.

Also scoring 3 goals and securing a place in the semi-finals is the Malaysian duo of Faisal Halim and Stuart Wilkin. They represent the hopes of the Malaysian Tigers in this year's semi-finals. However, facing a very strong opponent like Thailand, it will be difficult for Halim and Wilkin to improve their tally. Nevertheless, the Thai defense will have a tough time dealing with this pair who possess excellent speed and technique.

List of top scorers after the group stage of the AFF Cup 2022. Photo: Xuan Quy

Besides the names mentioned above, Egy Maulana Vikri, Marc Klok (Indonesia), Ezequiel Agüero (Malaysia), and Peeradon Chamratsamee (Thailand) could also spring surprises in the race for the AFF Cup 2022 top scorer title. However, with only 2 goals scored after the group stage, it will be difficult for these strikers to rise to the top.

The semi-finals of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 will begin with the match between Indonesia and Vietnam at 4:30 PM on January 6, 2023, at the Gelora Bungkarno Stadium.