Cong Phuong returns
With 3 wins and 1 draw to take second place after 4 rounds, Binh Phuoc Club is having the best start in history in the first division. The rise of the Southeast representative has the mark of Nguyen Cong Phuong, when the striker born in 1995 left his mark on 4 out of 6 goals that Binh Phuoc has scored (3 goals, 1 assist) up to this point.
Despite a difficult start in the first division with a goalless draw against Hoa Binh Club, Cong Phuong quickly asserted his class. He scored a double against Khanh Hoa in the second round, helping Binh Phuoc win 2-0. In the match against Ba Ria - Vung Tau , Cong Phuong scored the opening goal and assisted his teammates to score, starting a very important 3-2 victory for Binh Phuoc to chase the top team Ninh Binh.
Cong Phuong in Binh Phuoc Club jersey
PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB
After 2 years of almost no chance to play at Yokohama FC, joy has returned to Cong Phuong. When the 29-year-old striker returned home, expert Doan Minh Xuong affirmed: "The obstacle for Cong Phuong is not his level, but only his feeling of playing and his physical foundation after a period of little playing time. If he regains his physical strength and confidence, Cong Phuong will still be a quality player."
In the past 2 years, the 29-year-old striker has only participated in one training session of the Vietnamese national team, mainly because he was not given the opportunity in Japan. Coach Philippe Troussier once said that Cong Phuong "did not really go abroad", because he only practiced but did not compete. Now that the former HAGL striker's presence on the field is clear, he can start to make a comeback to regain his place in the Vietnamese national team.
Coach Kim Sang-sik needs more than that
His outstanding contribution in the first leg of the season with Binh Phuoc Club shows that although his physical strength and stretching ability are difficult to compare with his peak period, the Nghe An striker still has valuable assets to take advantage of. That is a comprehensive playing style (long-range shooting, passing, dribbling), competition experience, and a desire to prove himself.
The motivation to compete alone is a plus point for Cong Phuong. When he first came to Vietnam, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized that he wanted to see the player's desire to devote himself. This is one of the most important factors that the strategist from a football background that emphasizes fighting spirit like Korea requires from his students.
Cong Phuong always tries hard
PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB
With more and more national players or former national players choosing the first-class playground as their destination, playing only in this tournament is not an obstacle. Coach Kim Sang-sik also does not have many options at the moment, so he has to "sift the sand to find gold" and prioritize performance, in the context of the 2024 AFF Cup approaching.
However, there are still obstacles for Cong Phuong. Compared to his teammates in the Vietnam national team, Cong Phuong is at a disadvantage because he has never trained a day with coach Kim Sang-sik. The 29-year-old player has not had time to get used to the training methods and philosophy of the new head coach. Compared to other players, Cong Phuong must try harder to show his ability, because there is not much time left to convince the head coach.
The last time Cong Phuong wore the national team jersey was September 2023. After more than a year, whether the striker wearing the number 70 shirt can still maintain his connection with his teammates or not, that is still a question mark.
At the same time, the gap between the first-class playing field and the national team level is quite far, both in terms of fierceness, intensity and level of physical loss. Having only played 5 matches since the beginning of the season, has Cong Phuong accumulated enough physical strength and energy for the AFF Cup? It is not yet certain.
The time ahead will be decisive. Cong Phuong needs to sprint if he wants to regain his position.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cong-phuong-toa-sang-hlv-kim-sang-sik-rat-vui-nhung-se-hai-long-hon-nua-neu-185241116170710145.htm
Comment (0)