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Cong Phuong is expected to make a breakthrough. |
After 10 recent matches for Binh Duong in the V.League 2024/25 season, Tien Linh has only scored 1 goal. This is an alarming number for the striker who has been considered the main striker of the Vietnamese team for many years.
Most recently, Tien Linh suffered an injury and was on the bench in Binh Duong's 1-3 loss to CAHN on May 30. He joined the team and had his first training session on the afternoon of June 1, but his ability to play in the match against Malaysia was also questioned. This forced coach Kim Sang-sik to consider other options and Cong Phuong emerged as a possible choice.
In the First Division, the striker born in 1995 has 7 goals in 18 matches for Binh Phuoc . Not a bad achievement, especially when he plays the role of leading the attack and helping the team compete for promotion.
However, it is worth mentioning that most of the opponents that Cong Phuong faced were of low quality, only Ninh Binh was considered to be better in general. Playing regularly against weak defenses makes it difficult for Cong Phuong's "warm-up" ability to accurately reflect his form when returning to the international arena.
The last time Vietnam faced Malaysia was the AFF Cup group stage match in December 2022. At that time, the "Golden Star Warriors" defeated their opponents with a score of 3-0. Compared to nearly 3 years ago, Malaysia is not standing still. In this gathering, they are preparing very seriously and methodically.
Malaysia gathered on May 18 with 38 players, having just drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde on May 29. Coach Peter Cklamovski’s squad has also been strongly “Westernized” with foreign players of Malaysian blood. These are all players with physical strength, speed and experience playing in European and South American tournaments.
Obviously, in this rematch, Malaysia is no longer a "lightweight" opponent, and it is not easy for a player who has just returned to form in the First Division like Cong Phuong to easily penetrate.
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Cong Phuong is in good form in the First Division. |
The last time Cong Phuong scored for the Vietnamese national team was nearly two years ago, in a friendly match against Palestine 2-0 in September 2023. Currently, Cong Phuong may still be a useful tactical card, but to carry the official attack is a different story.
Another name that can be considered is Tuan Hai. Although more suitable in the role of a withdrawn striker, the striker born in 1997 can bring a lot of value if the Vietnamese team chooses a counter-attacking style of play.
Tuan Hai is not a striker with sharp scoring ability like Tien Linh or rich technique like Cong Phuong, but in return, he has a high fighting spirit, strong pressing ability and a fighting style of play. In matches that require endurance, stretching ability and the ability to place people to keep the ball up front, Tuan Hai is a very worthy choice to consider.
Cong Phuong is still the name that creates expectations, especially in the context of the team lacking personnel and experience in the front line. But for him to "carry the team" alone in the big match with Malaysia is not simple.
If used properly, Cong Phuong can still make a difference, but will need to be placed in a suitable system where every ball does not depend entirely on his feet. Besides, coach Kim Sang-sik will wait for goals to come from other positions in the squad.
Source: https://znews.vn/cong-phuong-du-suc-ganh-tuyen-post1557560.html
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