Amidst the thirst for change, Cong Phuong is a breath of fresh air for coach Kim.

Cong Phuong will bring a "new breeze" to the Vietnam team. Photo: Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc .

In the context of Xuan Son, Van Toan, Vi Hao being injured, Tien Linh's performance being unstable, Cong Phuong is in good form in the First Division with 7 goals after 18 rounds. Therefore, it is not surprising that coach Kim Sang-sik included his name in the list of Vietnam team in this gathering.

But in the Korean coach's tactical scheme that focuses on speed, pressing and physical strength, where is the place for a technical striker like Phuong?

Since his debut in 2014 in the U19 Vietnam shirt, the striker from Nghe An has been associated with controversy, lovers, and doubters. But at the age of 30, Cong Phuong still retains the most important thing of a striker: passion and instinct to score goals.

He is showing great form in Binh Phuoc, not only scoring regularly but also moving flexibly, linking well with the surrounding satellites. Those are the factors that the Vietnamese team is in dire need of, especially in the context of the attack lacking breakthrough factors.

Coach Kim Sang-sik clearly demonstrates the philosophy of high pressing, direct play and requiring players to move a lot without the ball. This is the style of play that helped him succeed in Korea. In that formation, the attacking midfielder or right-sided striker who can explode with a dribble or a long-range shot is the right destination for Cong Phuong. At the AFF Cup 2018, although not often in the team, the former HAGL star played excellently in the attacking midfielder role and knew how to make a difference with his individual skills.

However, the biggest challenge for Cong Phuong this time is not the expectation or public opinion, but whether coach Kim Sang-sik will "give him space" to "perform" or not. In the attacking midfield, names like Quang Hai and Hoang Duc are often called upon. Quang Hai has extensive experience and is capable of making decisive passes. Hoang Duc is the "brain" that organizes the play.

Besides, Hai Long and Van Khang are young talents with great potential, growing up with flexibility and the ability to control the tempo and keep the rhythm of the match.

Cong Phuong will be one of the players worth watching in the Vietnam team this time. Photo: Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc .

For the strikers, Tien Linh, despite his current unstable form, is still a key player with his ability to choose a position and finish. Tuan Hai is energetic, willing to press and suitable for 1 striker or 2 striker formations.

To have a chance to show his talent, Cong Phuong must convince coach Kim Sang-sik that he brings a different color to the rest. That is the ability to dribble past people, create breakthroughs in narrow spaces and have an inspired instinct for handling, something that is lacking in the current playing style of the Vietnamese team.

"If I have the opportunity to play, I will play with everything I have, dedicating myself to the fans and the national team's colors," Cong Phuong shared on Binh Phuoc's homepage.

Fortunately, Cong Phuong has a great psychological advantage. Being given the opportunity to return at a time when he is "on fire" in Binh Phuoc's shirt is a great stepping stone for him to show himself. Phuong is now no longer under the pressure of the "Vietnamese Messi" label as before, but is simply a striker who is trying to find himself again, dedicating himself to the team.

How will Cong Phuong be used? He probably won’t start immediately, but he will be a “trump card” from the bench who can create a breakthrough when the game is deadlocked. It is also possible that Coach Kim will experiment with Cong Phuong playing as a false striker in a formation without a pure striker, as many modern teams are applying to exploit the space behind the opponent’s defense.

The remaining issue is whether Cong Phuong has enough physical strength to meet Coach Kim's requirements. Playing in the First Division means he has not been tested much against high-class defenses. But after all, a healthy, confident Cong Phuong who is used properly is still a valuable asset to the Vietnam team, especially in this challenging transition period.

Source: https://znews.vn/giua-con-khat-dot-bien-cong-phuong-la-lan-gio-la-cho-hlv-kim-post1555279.html