Binh Phuoc, 25 May, 2025 – Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong has confirmed he will dedicate himself to the Vietnam national team when called up after a 14-month absence.
Cong Phuong is one of the 23 players summoned by Coach Kim Sang-sik to prepare for the away match against Malaysia in the second round of Group F for the final Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers on June 10. The last time the 1995-born striker was called up was in March 2024 under Coach Philippe Troussier, and his last appearance for the team was in the 2-0 friendly win over Palestine in September 2023.
“I received the call-up with calmness and responsibility, after taking the time to reflect, train, and prepare better physically and mentally,” Cong Phuong said on the official website of Binh Phuoc FC. “I understand that returning to the national team is an opportunity, and I need to work harder to repay the trust from the coaching staff and the fans.”
Cong Phuong, who has been through the pressures of professional football for 10 years, chooses to face these challenges by preparing thoroughly and focusing his mind. “I do not set overly high goals or promise anything grand. I just simply try my best and be serious in every training session,” the 30-year-old striker said. “If given the chance to play, I will dedicate everything I have for the national team.”
Cong Phuong grew up in the Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) youth academy. At the end of 2022, he left the team to join Japan’s Yokohama FC. During his two years in J-League 1 and 2, he only played two matches in the J-League Cup. Later, he ended his contract early in September 2024 to return to play for Binh Phuoc FC in the First Division.
His limited playing time had previously prevented the Nghe An-born striker from being called up by Coach Kim Sang-sik. He was included in this squad due to his strong recent performances, scoring 7 goals and assisting 5, contributing to 12 out of Binh Phuoc’s 27 goals. The team is currently second in the First Division and is in a good position to compete for the play-off match for promotion to the V.League next season against the 13th-place team from the 2024-2025 V.League.
Coach Kim Sang-sik has visited several of Cong Phuong’s matches. He met with the player but did not discuss in-depth. However, Cong Phuong sees this as a sign of acknowledgment. “I don’t know much about Coach Kim as I haven’t had the chance to work directly with him, but when the coach comes to watch, it’s a form of interest and motivation for the players,” said the former HAGL striker.
In an interview with VnExpress after winning the ASEAN Cup 2024, the South Korean coach also apologized for not calling up players like Cong Phuong and Que Ngoc Hai, citing fitness concerns. The coaching staff needed high-energy players to cope with the tight schedule and travel.
In addition to Cong Phuong, the current squad also includes two players from the First Division, Nguyen Hoang Duc and Dinh Thanh Binh of Ninh Binh FC. The only new face is Cao Quang Vinh Pendant. The left-back, born in 1997, has a French father and a Vietnamese mother. He was called up for the first time after obtaining Vietnamese nationality in March.
Vietnam will gather on May 29 in Hanoi. On June 6, the team will travel to Malaysia and have three days to acclimatize before the match at the Bukit Jalil “cauldron.”
Malaysia is Vietnam’s direct competitor for the top spot and the only qualification spot from Group F for the 2027 Asian Cup. In the first round in March, Malaysia defeated Nepal 2-0, while Vietnam won 5-0 against Laos.
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