How will Cong Phuong reunite with Tien Linh?

Coach Kim Sang-sik's call-up of Cong Phuong marks the reunion of the striker pair who played together in the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup.

Cong Phuong will be a valuable addition to the Vietnamese national team's attack.

Photo: Binh Phuoc Club

Couple Cong Phuong - Tien Linh returns

In the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, the Vietnamese team, during their away match in Oman, started with the striker pair Tien Linh - Cong Phuong, in a 5-3-2 formation with the trio of central midfielders Hoang Duc, Duc Huy and Quang Hai.

We lost this match 1-3, but that was the premise for coach Park Hang-seo and his team to have a more impressive performance. When returning to My Dinh Stadium, we only lost to the Japanese team 0-1 in a match where the team showed effective tactical changes.

Highlight Binh Phuoc Club 2-1 Hue Club | Round 18 of the 2024-2025 First Division

In the next match, the Vietnamese team had another convincing performance against the giant Saudi Arabia. Although there was regret after receiving another 0-1 loss, the belief in Mr. Park's adjustment was much clearer.

In all three matches, Mr. Park arranged for Cong Phuong and Tien Linh to play together: Tien Linh played in the penalty area to put pressure while Cong Phuong played wider.

Cong Phuong's most recent goal for the Vietnam national team was against Palestine in September 2023.

Photo: Thuy Xuan

This formation is considered a variation of 3-4-3, when Cong Phuong and Tien Linh both play the role of hunting the ball from afar, while Quang Hai "anchored" loosely in a flexible role from the middle of the field to a slightly right position.

Opportunity for Mr. Kim to refresh the attack

At this time, compared to the AFF Cup 2024, the Vietnamese team's attack line has changed a lot when the three names that used to play the main role, Xuan Son, Van Toan and Vi Hao, are all absent due to injury.

These are all regrettable names: Xuan Son is simply the number 1 striker in Southeast Asia at the moment, Van Toan and Vi Hao can contribute greatly to the gameplay thanks to their wide range of activities and speed.

This poses a huge disadvantage for coach Kim Sang-sik because ahead of us is a trip away that promises to be not easy at all, on the hot pot of "Bukit Jalil" of Malaysia. This is the match that the opponent wants to win to compete for the top spot in Group F of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

A year and a half away from the Vietnamese team only made Cong Phuong more eager to contribute.

Photo: Thuy Xuan

However, the return of Cong Phuong will be a solution that brings expectations, when the striker of Binh Phuoc Club is in good form, rich in experience and still full of desire. It must be said that no matter when, the news of Cong Phuong joining the national team always brings special attention.

Cong Phuong's ability to make a difference and his desire to prove himself will be a complement to the attack line that currently has his familiar partner Tien Linh, his former teammate at HAGL Dinh Thanh Binh and Tuan Hai - who replaced Cong Phuong alongside Tien Linh in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers but also drew 1-1 with Japan when Cong Phuong assisted.

In theory, Tien Linh and Tuan Hai - 2 strikers together scored 16 goals in V-League 2024 - 2025, most recently "little" Hai just played brilliantly to help Hanoi Club beat Hanoi Police Club 2-0 in round 24, ensuring the home team won the runner-up position.

But Cong Phuong and Dinh Thanh Binh - 2 people who scored 11 goals in the 2024 - 2025 national first division after round 18 - are still strong competitors. In particular, the experienced battle spirit of the player once nicknamed "Vietnamese Messi" will be a factor that Mr. Kim carefully considers.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cong-phuong-se-tai-hop-voi-tien-linh-nhu-the-nao-185250526221850322.htm