Cong Phuong admits feeling pressured when returning to the Vietnam national team

After nearly 2 years of absence, striker Nguyen Cong Phuong was called back to the Vietnam national team to prepare for the match against Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup (Group F). He is one of the faces that attracted attention in this training session.

Sharing his feelings when he heard the news of being called up to the national team, Cong Phuong said: "I accepted it with calmness and responsibility. The past time was a time for me to look back, practice and prepare better both physically and mentally.

Being back on the team now is an opportunity, and I understand that I need to try harder to respond to the trust of the coaching staff and the fans."

Công Phượng thừa nhận gặp áp lực khi trở lại đội tuyển Việt Nam - 1 — Cong Phuong is determined to prove himself in the Vietnam national team (Photo: Binh Phuoc FC).

Cong Phuong was very happy to watch the match directly with Coach Kim Sang Sik. He said: "Actually, I haven't had many opportunities to work directly with Coach Kim Sang Sik, so I don't fully understand him.

But the fact that he followed and directly encouraged me after the match made me feel his sincerity and real concern. That was not only a motivation for me, but also for the players who are quietly working hard in the first division."

During his time playing for Binh Phuoc Club in the first division, despite having to rest for nearly 2 months due to injury, Cong Phuong still made a strong impression with 7 goals. Including the National Cup, the striker born in 1995 has 9 goals this season.

In the context of Nguyen Xuan Son and Vi Hao being out for a long time, Van Toan recently getting injured, and Tien Linh losing his form, Cong Phuong is receiving great expectations.

When asked about the pressure of returning to the national team amid the attention of the media and the expectations of fans, Cong Phuong shared: "There is definitely pressure. But I think it is inevitable for any player wearing the national team shirt. Instead of letting the pressure weigh me down, I choose to face it with careful preparation and a focused spirit.

I don't set too high a goal or make any big promises, I simply will try my best, practice seriously and if I have the opportunity to play, I will compete with everything I have, dedicate myself to the fans, to the national team's colors."

According to the plan, right after round 24 of V-League 2024-2025 ends, the Vietnam national team will gather in Hanoi . In the first few days, the team did not have enough players because coach Kim Sang Sik and 4 players went to Malaysia to attend a friendly match with Man Utd on May 28. In addition, some clubs in V-League have a make-up match schedule, so the players gathered late.