"New breeze" Cong Phuong and Pendant Quang Vinh

Overseas Vietnamese defender Pendant Quang Vinh (left) will bring diversity to the playing style of the Vietnamese team.

The ingenuity of coach Kim Sang Sik

By calling back Cong Phuong, the Korean strategist showed his ingenuity before facing Malaysia - the match that decides the ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals. Cong Phuong is playing very well for Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc in the First Division and deserves to be called. This also meets the wishes of a large number of fans of the Nghe An striker, thereby reducing the pressure on the Vietnamese team and coach Kim Sang Sik himself before the match with Malaysia.

Professionally, after nearly 2 years of absence, his return to the Vietnam national team is considered a topic that attracts the attention of the media and fans. Previously, Cong Phuong was considered a useful striker for the Vietnam national team. The ability to hold the ball, dribble skillfully and accelerate short distances were among the "weapons" of the Vietnam national team under coach Park Hang Seo. However, these advantages were gradually lost when Cong Phuong joined Yokohama FC (Japan). The Vietnamese striker was almost absent from the squad and when he decided to return to Vietnam to play for Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc in the First Division, Cong Phuong gradually found himself again.

At the age of 30 and no longer considered a top player of the Vietnam national team, Cong Phuong knows what he needs to do to regain his former glory. Coach Kim Sang Sik called up Cong Phuong, but his ability to be used in the first team is still uncertain.

The Vietnamese team currently has 4 strikers: Tien Linh, Tuan Hai, Thanh Binh and Cong Phuong. The striker from Nghe An is considered to have more experience and a more diverse playing style than all, as he can play as an attacking midfielder, false striker, winger, etc. This allows coach Kim Sang Sik to build a diverse attack for the Vietnamese team, as well as make adjustments at specific times during the match.

Coach Kim Sang Sik rarely mentions Cong Phuong’s name in the media, although he regularly watches Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc play. This shows that although the Korean strategist gives Cong Phuong a chance, he also has high demands if the Nghe An striker wants to be in the main squad.

This is the motivation for Cong Phuong and also the way coach Kim Sang Sik revived a seemingly forgotten star like the striker from Nghe An.

Refresh the defense

The solidity and stability of the Vietnamese national team's defense has always been a strong point under coach Kim Sang Sik. However, since Van Hau was injured and out for a long time, the Vietnamese team has not been able to find a replacement on the left wing. It is very possible that Pendant Quang Vinh will be the one to help fans ease their nostalgia for the Hanoi Police defender's sprints.

Witnessing the second leg of the 2024/2025 Southeast Asian Club Championship final between Hanoi Police and Buriram United, experts believe that Pendant Quang Vinh will be able to demonstrate his abilities when playing for the Vietnam national team. The speed, finishing ability and defensive ability of the French-Vietnamese defender are worthy of being considered a "new weapon" of the Vietnam national team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is trying to build understanding between positions, especially when the team has just added new elements. On the left wing, Quang Vinh and Van Vi are in good form, bringing much hope. Young player Van Khang can be pushed up to play as midfielder or left forward - a role that helps him develop his scoring ability.

The right wing currently has two defenders, Xuan Manh and Van Thanh. Up front, Ngoc Quang and Cong Phuong are the options for the midfielder and right forward positions. The combination of Quang Vinh on the left and Cong Phuong on the right promises to be a surprise attack for Malaysia.

Compared to the previous training session, in this training session, the Vietnamese team did not have many changes. The two names mentioned most are Cong Phuong and Pendant Quang Vinh. Information from experts said that the Korean strategist is quite satisfied with the people he has and he wants to surprise Malaysia, along with 3 full points to soon complete the goal of participating in the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.

For fans, the appeal of the Vietnamese team will certainly increase significantly, as they want to see how Cong Phuong will play after nearly 2 years of absence from the team; How will Pendant Quang Vinh prove his class as a player who has played in Europe?

Above all, the Vietnamese team will have a convincing victory over Malaysia, proving its position as the "king" of Southeast Asia.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/the-thao/202505/lan-gio-moi-cong-phuong-va-pendant-quang-vinh-6c609b4/