The beginning of Cong Phuong
In September 2024, Cong Phuong said goodbye to Yokohama FC before the contract between the two sides expired. The farewell was unfinished but necessary, especially when the striker born in 1995 only played 3 times in 2 years wearing the Japanese team's shirt. It should be added that this is the 3rd time in Cong Phuong's career that he has not been successful when going abroad. This player's "lifeline" is to return to play in his home country.
Every time he returned to Vietnam to compete after his previous overseas trips, Cong Phuong played well immediately. His form at Hoang Anh Gia Lai (2017) and Ho Chi Minh City (2020) was somewhat restored by this striker when he joined Binh Phuoc club in the 2024-2025 season. Cong Phuong scored in 2 of the first 3 matches for Binh Phuoc. Against the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Team in the National Cup qualifying round, Cong Phuong only took 5 minutes to score for his team. After being blocked by Hoa Binh in the first round of the 2024-2025 National First Division, Cong Phuong once again left his mark with a double against Khanh Hoa, helping Binh Phuoc bring home 3 points. Cong Phuong's smooth start is not surprising because he only plays in a lower division than the V.League. However, the way the 29-year-old striker moves, chooses his position, makes shots, or uses his speed, physical strength, and technique to overcome opponents still brings emotions to fans.
Opportunity for Cong Phuong
In fact, both coach Philippe Troussier and Kim Sang-sik were interested in Cong Phuong when he was still struggling to find a place at Yokohama FC. However, because this striker did not have the conditions to play, the strategists had difficulty evaluating Cong Phuong's performance. When Cong Phuong returned to Vietnam, the media immediately questioned his goal of returning to the national team. A month ago, this striker affirmed that he was ready to contribute to the national team if coach Kim Sang-sik and the coaching staff needed him. In the current context, except for Nguyen Tien Linh, the Vietnam National Team does not have many quality strikers. Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son) is not eligible in terms of time to wear the national team shirt.
Pham Tuan Hai - the second hope after Tien Linh, has had problems with his form and has just recovered from an injury, having only played 300 minutes and scored exactly 1 goal for Hanoi FC. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Toan has not recovered from his ankle injury to return to the rotation at Nam Dinh club. Not to mention young strikers such as Dinh Bac, Van Tung, Vi Hao, Quoc Viet... have all been unstable, with good matches and bad matches in the recent rounds of the V.League. The fact that he was rated by coach Kim Sang-sik and called up to the Vietnam National Team is reasonable. Not to mention his expertise, from the fans' perspective, the return of this player will create more attraction for the "Golden Star Warriors".
