Cong Phuong makes a great comeback, Binh Phuoc refuels: Fiercely competing for promotion

Cong Phuong returned at the right time, very impressive performance

Binh Phuoc Club received good news when the main striker Nguyen Cong Phuong returned after injury treatment. He returned to normal training in mid-March. Then in the friendly match against Dong Nai, Cong Phuong "opened fire", helping the home team win with a score of 2-1.

Previously, Binh Phuoc Club also won 4-1 against Ba Ria - Vung Tau in a warm-up match. Despite deploying a mix of starting players and reserves and prioritizing testing, Coach Huynh Quoc Anh's team still played very smoothly. The Southeast team is reaching the peak of form and mentality to be ready to break through in the remaining 9 matches of the 2024 - 2025 first division.

Cong Phuong returns

PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB

Cong Phuong had an explosive start, scoring 4 goals in 6 matches in the first division, helping Binh Phuoc compete for the top spot with Ninh Binh Club. However, an injury in the match against Dong Nai (round 6) caused Cong Phuong to miss 5 consecutive matches. From then on, Binh Phuoc Club began to go backwards.

Cong Phuong's teammates still won against weaker teams such as Ba Ria - Vung Tau (3-0), Dong Thap (1-0) and Long An (2-1). However, in matches against direct opponents in the promotion race, Binh Phuoc Club only drew and lost despite playing at home. The team coached by former striker Nguyen Anh Duc lost 0-1 to Ninh Binh, then had to struggle to catch up to get 1 point against PVF-CAND (draw 2-2).

In both matches, the problems of Binh Phuoc Club were exposed. Without Cong Phuong, the representative of the Southeast region created very few breakthroughs in attack. The sideline attacks and crosses of Binh Phuoc Club became harmless against Ninh Binh Club, which is full of stars from both offense and defense, or against the dynamic young stars of PVF-CAND.

Last season, Binh Phuoc FC missed out on promotion because of poor performance in big matches. Cong Phuong was brought in to fix this weakness, but when Binh Phuoc FC needed the 30-year-old striker the most in the first leg, he missed the appointment due to injury.

Cong Phuong returns in friendly match with Dong Nai

PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB

But, Cong Phuong has returned. He has caught up with the physical training and ball feel, then integrated into the team's general training plan. The time off to recover from his injury has helped Cong Phuong recharge his "fuel" to break through again.

Value of star

During Cong Phuong's absence, Binh Phuoc FC has found a new source of goals. That is striker Luu Tu Nhan, who also has 4 goals this season.

However, Tu Nhan and other Binh Phuoc players still lack the experience and toughness to play in big matches. Only Cong Phuong possesses this quality. Although he has declined due to 2 years as a reserve in Japan, the striker born in 1995 still possesses the mettle of a star who has been abroad 4 times and gone through many ups and downs in his career.

Cong Phuong cannot dribble or accelerate as well as before. However, this striker's ability to smell a goal and shoot is still sharp.

Before his injury, Cong Phuong had scored 6 goals in 8 matches in the first division and the National Cup. It took him almost no time to get used to the playing style, although in many matches, Cong Phuong had to play on the wing, playing the role of "decoy" to attract opponents to open up space for his teammates.

With Cong Phuong, Binh Phuoc FC has enough players for the remaining 9 important matches of the season. The 2 key matches in the return leg of the Southeast team are the away matches against PVF-CAND (round 18, 17.5) and Ninh Binh (round 19, 14.6). Overcoming these two difficult matches, Binh Phuoc FC is almost certain to take second place to play in the promotion play-off.

However, for now, Binh Phuoc Club needs to accumulate maximum points against weaker teams. The match with Tre TP.HCM this weekend (April 5) is an example.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cong-phuong-tai-xuat-cuc-dinh-binh-phuoc-nap-day-nhien-lieu-dua-quyet-liet-suat-thang-hang-185250401143723387.htm