In the qualifying round of the U20 Asian Cup with Group A held at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, the U20 Vietnam team had 2 consecutive wins, scoring 8 goals and not conceding any to temporarily take the top spot in the group. Standing out in the squad led by coach Hua Hien Vinh is Nguyen Cong Phuong, an 18-year-old midfielder.
The player born in 2006 has 3 goals and 2 assists. In addition to the numbers, experts highly appreciate Cong Phuong for his ability to control, coordinate, keep the rhythm, make decisive passes and even his finishing skills.
In the context of the gray picture of Vietnamese football, Cong Phuong is a bright spot and is expected. Having early experience in international competition, and also being promoted to the first team of Viettel's The Cong, of course, fans hope that the development path of the Hai Duong player will follow the appropriate sequence to contribute to spreading more bright colors for Vietnamese football.
Cong Phuong is 11 years older than Cong Phuong, and is from Nghe An, not Hai Duong, but the connection is quite significant. Cong Phuong also had a time when he showed incredible confidence in the way he played football. He was a striker, not a midfielder, but like Cong Phuong now, Cong Phuong knows how to inspire viewers with his inspiration, even though sometimes it gets him into trouble.
Cong Phuong is not too old to think about retiring, but his ambition to go abroad - 4 times, has not come true, so he returned to Vietnam and started over from the National First Division. There are many opinions about the choice of the former Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker, but after a long time without playing, starting over at a moderate level of competition will be good for his personal feelings.
But it is also undeniable that the quality in Cong Phuong's character will benefit the First Division thanks to his presence. And if he really desires to find himself again, who knows, maybe one day, Cong Phuong will score for the national team after Cong Phuong's assist!?
