Putting these two factors aside, it is not to compare but to say that, from those two curves, the door for Cong Phuong to return to the national team, perhaps, has been a little wider. 2 consecutive goals from free kicks - bringing his total number of goals in the 2024-2025 First Division to 6, bringing fans out of skepticism, returning to confidence and... hope. Cong Phuong is gradually reborn with the weapon that he once suspected the most: Efficiency.
Cong Phuong of today is different. That is Cong Phuong who has gone through injuries, criticism, failures in Europe, Korea, Japan and many emotions - things that caused him to lose his position in the national team. Cong Phuong of today is smarter in moving, choosing the right time to make a decision. And, with just 2 free shots, many people may see that the 30-year-old striker still has the quality of a player who possesses the ability to turn things around in moments when hope is gone. That is something that many other players cannot have.
It is not until now that opinions have appeared about the possibility of the former striker of Hoang Anh Gia Lai club returning to the national team. Coach Kim Sang-sik is still silent, but perhaps, he is feeling happy when Cong Phuong sent him a "slight challenge" in each match in such a way.
What fans needed not to be called to recruit to make a highlight for the media. There is a very "real war", very ready to rewrite the script, redraw the path in the team for himself. By form, by performance and by alertness, it is impossible to say he is not worthy. So, the fans will be nervous waiting for the next list of the team, in June. "Bend it like Cong Phuong" (based on the title of Bend It Like Beckham movie) enough to "crack" the door of the national team?
