Disappearing in Japan, Cong Phuong unlikely to return to Vietnam national team

Coach Philippe Troussier did not include Nguyen Cong Phuong in the list of players to be called up for the Vietnam national team. This is the second consecutive time the former Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker has been absent and it is likely that nothing will change in the next training sessions.

The striker born in 1995 is not injured, but Coach Troussier has no reason to include Cong Phuong in the list. The player currently playing for Yokohama FC is probably no longer in the professional plan of the Vietnam national team.

Cong Phuong was not called up to the Vietnamese national team in the first match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. (Photo: VFF)

This is not difficult to understand. When starting the friendly preparation process for the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, Coach Troussier still called Nguyen Cong Phuong. He was given the opportunity to enter the field in the second half, in the match against the Palestine team and made his mark with the opening goal.

Cong Phuong still had some remarkable plays that could have made a difference. However, that performance was not enough to convince Coach Troussier to give him another chance.

Cong Phuong scored to help the Vietnamese team beat Palestine.

The striker born in 1995 still has not met all the requirements of the French coach. The head coach of the Vietnamese team understands Cong Phuong's problem very well and has discussed frankly about the solution.

"Cong Phuong's lack of experience in recent matches has made it difficult for him to operate at high intensity and under constant pressure. Through discussions with him, I advised Cong Phuong to find opportunities to play in a club environment. With my requirements, the players must play with more energy and enthusiasm," Mr. Troussier analyzed.

Cong Phuong is unlikely to return to the Vietnam national team. (Photo: Duc Minh)

But finding a chance to play at Yokohama FC is something that even Cong Phuong cannot control, as the transfer period has not yet arrived. Since joining the Japanese team, this striker has rarely played. That has greatly affected Cong Phuong's playing feeling and performance.

For the Vietnamese team, each training session only lasts about 1-2 weeks. The opportunity for players to demonstrate their abilities mainly comes from their performances at clubs. When they join the national team, what they need to prove is their ability to adapt and work well with others. Cong Phuong does not play for a club, so Mr. Troussier has no reference data.

The last time Cong Phuong played for Yokohama FC was on April 5th, against Nagoya Grampus. However, the player from Nghe An was only brought on the field in the 3rd minute of extra time of the match. He did not appear again.

There is still a big gap in expertise between Cong Phuong and the rest of Yokohama FC. The former HAGL striker is unlikely to be used in Japan. This situation is unlikely to change no matter how hard Cong Phuong tries. If he does not choose the right environment, it is very likely that Cong Phuong's performance will continue to decline and hit rock bottom.

Nguyen Quang Hai quickly returned home after his adventure in France. Returning to V.League, this midfielder took a long time to regain some of his form, although he still could not explode like when he played for Hanoi FC. That was an important sign for Cong Phuong to make his decision if he wanted to return to the Vietnam national team.

Mai Phuong

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