Cong Vinh becomes "Mr. 100"

(Baonghean) - With a goal scored in the 70th minute of the match between SLNA and QNK Quang Nam, striker Le Cong Vinh officially reached 100 goals in the V-League. Overjoyed with his achievement, Cong Vinh celebrated by "kissing the pitch," causing a stir in the Vinh Stadium stands.

The 2003 Cup was a significant milestone in Cong Vinh's career. In that tournament, Vinh played exceptionally well and earned a "last-minute" spot in the 22nd SEA Games held at My Dinh Stadium. Afterward, Vinh was promoted to the first team, playing in the V.League 2004 for SLNA. Playing alongside his senior teammate Van Quyen in attack, Vinh was in no way inferior. He consistently scored goals, and after 2005, when Van Quyen was suspended for match-fixing, Cong Vinh became the top scorer for his hometown team. Leaving SLNA, Vinh moved between various clubs and faced considerable pressure. But with the resilience of a great player, Cong Vinh overcame all obstacles to achieve success.

Cong Vinh and his teammates celebrate their 100th goal.

At the end of the 2013 V-League season, alongside top scorers who had won the Golden Boot in the last nine seasons such as Huynh Kesley Alves, Elenildo, Almeida, Gaston Merlo, Timothy, and Samson Kyode, there were two Vietnamese strikers in the top 10: Cong Vinh and Quang Hai. However, Cong Vinh reached the milestone of 99 goals (he would have reached 100 if the goal scored against Xuan Thanh SG had not been disallowed). This is not only an honor for Cong Vinh personally but also a source of pride for the fans of Nghe An province. Although he never won the V-League top scorer title, during his 10 years playing in the V-League, with extremely consistent performance (scoring 10 or more goals in 8 out of 10 seasons), Cong Vinh is the best striker in the history of Vietnamese professional football, with a total of 100 goals to date. Of those 100 goals, 63 were scored in 6 seasons with SLNA, 26 in 3 seasons with HN.T&T, and 11 in his only season with Hanoi FC. The striker from Quynh Luu made history in the V-League by becoming the first striker to reach the 100-goal mark in Vietnam's top football league.

After the match, surrounded by reporters, Cong Vinh confided: “Even when my teammates were scoring continuously, I couldn't score, especially when my teammates kept creating opportunities for me but I missed them. So when I finally scored, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I dedicate this goal to the fans and supporters of SLNA.”

At the press conference, coach Nguyen Huu Thang showered praise on the striker and captain of SLNA: “I have great faith in Cong Vinh. I think Cong Vinh is a true leader on the field, an exemplary captain to lead the SLNA team. Now, many young SLNA players are looking to Cong Vinh for inspiration. Vinh has scored 100 goals in the V-League, but I believe he will score even more. Just wait and see.”

A striker's life depends on goals. Each goal not only brings success to the team but also delights and satisfies the fans. Compared to previous Vietnamese strikers like Le Huynh Duc, Van Sy Thuy, Van Quyen, etc., Cong Vinh may not be highly regarded for his individual skill and technique, but he compensates with a keen goal-scoring instinct—a model of a modern center forward. And with 100 goals, even the most critical critics would readily bestow upon him the title of best Vietnamese striker at this time.

According to many, Cong Vinh wasn't just talented, but his success was unparalleled. The biggest lesson Vietnamese footballers should learn is hard work and rigorous training. When he joined the Song Lam academy, Cong Vinh was still known for his incredibly stiff legs. Although he didn't meet the professional standards, his eagerness to improve earned him a place at the academy, thanks to his perseverance and hard training. He gradually became more skillful and the top scorer for the Nghe An team. The lesson the coaches at Song Lam teach their students now is to learn from Vinh's example of maturity. Cong Vinh's determination and goal-scoring prowess are also an inspiration for young strikers at youth football training centers across the country, especially in the harsh V-League environment where the striker position is often reserved for foreign (and even naturalized) players.

Dai Nghia - Le Giap