VietNamNet Bridge – V.League 2017 has found not only new champions in Quang Nam FC, but also a new best scorer -- Nguyen Anh Duc.

Nguyen Anh Duc of Becamex Binh Duong (centre) is challenged by FLC Thanh Hoa during their V.League match on November 3. Duc is the best scorer of V.League this season. — VNS Photo Tuan Tu

Duc has made history by ending the 15-year domination of foreign strikers in Vietnam.

The national forward became the best scorer of the season with 17 goals after scoring a hat trick for Becamex Binh Duong in the last round match against Sanna Khanh Hoa.

He also set a new record as the best local scorer ever, beating the record of 16 goals by Le Van Thang of FLC Thanh Hoa made two years ago.

Before the start of the final round, during which all matches were played at the same time, Duc, Nsi Amougou of Can Tho and Errol Stevens of Hai Phong had the same number of goals at 14.

While Duc was scored the quickest hat trick in his career in the first half against Khanh Hoa, Stevens was quiet during his club’s 0-3 loss to Sai Gon, and Amougou scored a double, helping Can Tho win 3-2 over relegated Long An.

At the same time Rod Dyachenko of Quang Ninh, who previously pocketed 12 goals, joined the race as he netted a poker to defending champions Hanoi’s net.

However, Duc finally took the win for the first time his career and became the third Vietnamese to win the title, following Dang Dao of Khanh Hoa (11 goals) in the 2000-01 season, and Ho Van Loi of Sai Gon Port (nine goals) one year later.

Amougou and Dyachenko shared the second position with 16 goals each.

“He displayed his best performance and maintained his peak for the entire season. The difference was that he was allowed to play as the central striker, his favourite place, and he made his mark,” coach Tran Binh Su of Becamex Binh Duong said.

According to statistics, Duc is also the best local scorer in Southeast Asia.

In the 2017 season, so far, he is the only domestic player to win the title. Foreigners have secured the position in other countries, including powerhouses Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Thailand’s best scorer is Teerasil Dangda, who netted the ball 14 times. In Malaysia, national members Baddrol Bakhtiar and Rahim Safiq scored nine goals each.

The V.League has seen its new champion but Duc and his team Becamex Binh Duong still have one match to play this week. They will face Song Lam Nghe An in the second leg match of the National Cup final on Thursday.

 Thirty-two-year-old Duc could further raise his goal tally. According to Soccerway.com, a website that focuses on football live score, results, fixtures and statistics, Duc has scored a total of 79 goals for his current club since 2009. 

Source: VNS