Cong Phuong continues to shine
When Binh Phuoc club fell into a deadlock, Nguyen Cong Phuong once again spoke up with a ball steal, acceleration and classy finish to bring a 1-0 victory over Hue, in round 5 of the 2024-2025 National First Division.
After 6 matches in the new team, the striker born in 1995 has scored 5 goals and had 1 assist for his teammate.
Binh Phuoc is "living" by the breath of Nguyen Cong Phuong. This player alone has brought consecutive victories to the representative of the Southeast region. His return to the country to play football also attracted a large number of fans to follow Binh Phuoc, through television and directly to the stadium.
It cannot be said that the player from Nghe An has played to his full potential. In 2 years in Japan, Cong Phuong played less than 100 minutes, which eroded his inspiration, enthusiasm, physical strength and form. When he returned to Vietnam, Cong Phuong's first steps were still difficult.
Only the finishing rhythm and determination are still intact in Cong Phuong. He diligently finds himself through each match. Coach Nguyen Anh Duc's patience has been duly rewarded. Binh Phuoc is still in the top group, ready to compete fairly for the promotion ticket.
Will coach Kim Sang-sik change?
In the preliminary list of the Vietnam team, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Dinh Thanh Binh and Nguyen Quoc Viet are 3 strikers playing in the National First Division.
Obviously, only Cong Phuong really met expectations, at least in terms of efficiency in playing and the number of goals scored. Quoc Viet is still young, playing more poorly than his senior Dinh Thanh Binh.
However, if we look closely at the performance of each player, flexibility and physical foundation still give Quoc Viet and Thanh Binh an advantage. Cong Phuong needs more time to regain the best form he showed before going abroad.
But in a tournament like the AFF Cup 2024 (newly named ASEAN Cup), coach Kim Sang-sik needs players who can handle specific situations well. In this aspect, Cong Phuong is completely superior to his two teammates who were also trained at Hoang Anh Gia Lai. However, the Korean coach chose to leave Cong Phuong out.
When Cong Phuong continued to score, fans wondered if Mr. Kim Sang-sik had the courage to "turn around" and give Cong Phuong a chance?
Even if Cong Phuong only needs to go to Korea for training, fans will be satisfied and ready to accept if he does not meet the requirements.
Cong Phuong is on the preliminary list and can still be added to the AFF Cup 2024. Who knows, coach Kim Sang-sik might change at the last minute.
