Cong Phuong returns before the match against Malaysia

After the first training session (May 30) with a great effort on the field, striker Nguyen Cong Phuong had to rest for the next 2 consecutive days. Doctors announced that the Binh Phuoc Club striker had a sore foot. In addition to Cong Phuong, two players Duc Chien and goalkeeper Dinh Trieu also had to rest at the hotel due to muscle strain.

The fact that the three players above could not practice made coach Kim Sang Sik worried, in the context of the Vietnamese team being hit by a storm of injuries. Previously, two central defenders Thanh Binh and Viet Anh withdrew due to health problems, in addition, Van Thanh could not concentrate for the same reason.

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The return of Cong Phuong (9) helps coach Kim Sang Sik reduce his worries (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

Coach Kim Sang Sik was forced to call up Van Toi ( Hai Phong Club) and promote young central defender Pham Ly Duc from the U22 team to the Vietnam national team.

The return of Cong Phuong is not only meaningful in terms of expertise, but also helps improve the spirit of the Vietnamese team. In this training session, although he is 30 years old, the experience and ability to make a difference of the striker from Nghe An is what coach Kim Sang Sik really needs.

Before joining the Vietnam national team, Cong Phuong had a total of 9 goals for Binh Phuoc Club, including 7 goals in the first division and 2 goals in the National Cup. Cong Phuong no longer has the ability to dribble straight into the opponent's defense due to his declining physical strength, but he has become more dangerous with set pieces.

In the upcoming match against Malaysia, taking advantage of opportunities from set pieces can open up victory, or gain at least one point for the "Golden Star Warriors", and of course Cong Phuong receives expectations in the context of striker Nguyen Tien Linh not having the best form after 10 "goalless" matches in the V-League.

In addition to Cong Phuong's return, Duc Chien and goalkeeper Dinh Trieu also appeared on the training ground on the afternoon of June 2. Thus, since the training session, this is the first time the Vietnamese team has had a full squad of 23 players.

The Vietnamese team will continue training at the VFF Youth Football Training Center and is expected to leave for Malaysia on June 6. The match between host Malaysia and the Vietnamese team will take place on June 10 at Bukit Jalil Stadium in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

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