Expert: "Vietnam team always needs Cong Phuong when facing Malaysia"

The list of the Vietnamese team preparing for the match against Malaysia on June 10, within the framework of the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, includes the return of famous striker Nguyen Cong Phuong.

In addition, the list of coach Kim Sang Sik (Korean) also includes Vietnamese-Korean player Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, after the player currently playing for Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) played excellently in the Southeast Asian C1 Cup.

The appearance of Cong Phuong and Quang Vinh are both faces that former VFF Vice President Duong Vu Lam noticed. Mr. Lam discussed the list of the Vietnamese team with Dan Tri reporter.

The best and most in-form players of Vietnamese football are all present in coach Kim Sang Sik's list (Photo: Manh Quan).

Nguyen Filip can return to the official lineup

What do you think about the list of Vietnam national team, just announced by coach Kim Sang Sik, are there any notable absences?

- Most of the best and most in-form players of Vietnamese football are on this list. Mr. Kim Sang Sik also closely followed the domestic league and domestic teams before making his decision.

The Vietnam national team's lineup according to the list just announced by coach Kim Sang Sik has harmony between the lines, from defense to attack. This lineup has more harmony between physical factors, fitness and technique.

Recently, there have been some questions about why goalkeeper Dang Van Lam was not called up to the Vietnam team to prepare for the match against Malaysia. However, I think Mr. Kim has his reasons. At the moment, the Vietnam team does not lack excellent goalkeepers.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip can regain his official position in the national team, after a brilliant performance in the Southeast Asian C1 Cup (Photo: Manh Quan).

Even Nguyen Filip is not sure to play officially in the national team, so the reason why Dang Van Lam is not called up to the team can also be explained. Even though he is in good form, Dang Van Lam is not sure to have a better form than the goalkeepers currently called up to play in the V-League.

Speaking of goalkeeper Nguyen Filip, will his excellent performance in the Southeast Asian Cup 1 in recent days help him regain his official position in the Vietnam national team?

- It's hard to say! In my opinion, Nguyen Filip is the best goalkeeper, with the highest level playing on the Vietnamese pitch at the moment. He also played extremely well in the recent matches of the Southeast Asian Cup 1.

Nguyen Filip seemed to be on another level compared to the tournament. He had quick reflexes, controlled the 16m50 area very well, almost always beating every opponent player in the air. Nguyen Filip was also very good with his feet, he could launch attacks right from his team's 16m50 area.

Even normal shots could not beat Nguyen Filip. All the goals conceded in the finals of the Southeast Asian C1 Cup against Buriram United (Thailand) were unstoppable situations.

The Vietnamese team currently has a balance between offense and defense (Photo: Khoa Nguyen).

However, that is just my personal opinion. Coach Kim Sang Sik may have a different viewpoint and philosophy on personnel use. We need to respect the viewpoint and philosophy of the experts who are directly in charge of the teams. Nguyen Filip still has a chance to regain his official position in the goal of the Vietnam team.

Firstly, as mentioned, he is playing very well. Secondly, the number one goalkeeper of the national team at the AFF Cup 2024, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, has just returned from injury. Thirdly, perhaps Nguyen Filip and coach Kim Sang Sik now understand each other better.

Cong Phuong and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh bring a breath of fresh air

Another overseas Vietnamese face appeared on the list of the Vietnamese team, that is left-back Cao Pendant Quang Vinh. What do you think about this player?

- I watched him play for CAHN FC against Buriram United in the final of the Southeast Asian Cup 1. This is a factor worth looking forward to in the Vietnam national team in the coming days.

Since Doan Van Hau was no longer called up to the national team due to injury, we did not have a strong left-back like Doan Van Hau, until Cao Pendant Quang Vinh appeared.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (4) is a significant addition to the left wing of the defense (Photo: Do ​​Minh Quan).

He has a modern way of playing football, attacking and defending smoothly thanks to his good physical foundation. The situation where Quang Vinh scored the opening goal in the second leg of the Southeast Asian Cup final against Buriram United showed the strengths of this player: Quick, skillful, calm, and accurate.

In addition, thanks to his good stature, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (1m77) will be beneficial for him in particular and the Vietnamese team in general, in one-on-one disputes and counter-balls. Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is a necessary addition to the left wing of the Vietnamese team.

As for the new yet old face Cong Phuong, what do you expect from this striker?

- Whatever is said, Cong Phuong is still a striker with a very unique style that Vietnamese football has ever had. This player's technique can cause trouble for the opponent's defense. Thanks to good technique, Cong Phuong has the ability to create breakthroughs for the front line.

Cong Phuong's problem at the moment is his physical strength. He is playing in a lower league, the level of competition and fierceness cannot be compared to V-League. This is something Cong Phuong needs to pay attention to in the coming days, when concentrating with the national team.

Besides, the current Vietnam team has changed a lot compared to previous years. The old teammates who played for the U19 and U23 Vietnam teams alongside Cong Phuong many years ago are mostly no longer present in coach Kim Sang Sik's list. Therefore, Cong Phuong needs to get used to the new playing style and adapt to the whole team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik has reasons to choose Cong Phuong (Photo: Huong Duong).

However, I believe in Cong Phuong's experience and his desire to succeed. If Cong Phuong is put on the field at the right time and in the right situation, he will create danger for the Malaysian opponent's goal. In the past, Cong Phuong has shown his luck many times when facing the Malaysian team.

Prepare options to confront Malaysia

As for the Malaysian team, how do you rate this opponent? Are they currently stronger or weaker than the Vietnamese team?

- I think the Vietnamese team is stronger than the Malaysian team at the moment. The Malaysian team still has the traditional strength of their players having good physique and fitness, and strong playing style. However, regarding the above points, the Vietnamese team is also prepared, Coach Kim Sang Sik's list does not lack players ready to compete and compete in the air with Malaysia.

Malaysia's weakness is that their coordination is not smooth. Malaysia uses too many naturalized players, so their playing style is difficult to find cohesion in small coordination situations. Moreover, most of Malaysia's naturalized players are currently not of very high level.

The Vietnamese team prepares a plan to confront Malaysia (Photo: Khoa Nguyen).

I like the Malaysian team from 2010-2012 under coach Rajagobal more. Back then, they were just naturalized enough and used just enough strength in their playing style. The fighting spirit of the Malaysian players at that time was also higher than now, so they were stronger mentally and technically than now.

But from now on, Malaysia will have the advantage of playing at home at Bukit Jalil Stadium (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) when hosting the Vietnamese team?

- There is no denying the enormous pressure of the giant Bukit Jalil stadium (maximum capacity can be up to 100,000 people). However, that is not the detail that can decide the result of the match between Malaysia and the Vietnamese team in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

The current Vietnamese players are experienced and have played a lot of international matches. They are able to withstand the pressure of playing on the opponent's field and the pressure of the opponent's audience. Therefore, the Vietnamese team will know how to overcome the pressure at Bukit Jalil Stadium.

The deciding factor between the two sides, in my opinion, is the technical aspect. In this respect, Vietnamese players are better than Malaysian players. Now, Malaysian players mainly use their strength in the game, some positions in their squad are tall but clumsy. Therefore, the chance of winning the upcoming match for the Vietnamese team is quite high!

Thank you for the conversation!

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/chuyen-gia-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-luon-can-cong-phuong-khi-doi-dau-malaysia-20250523180815298.htm