The resilience of Cong Phuong
The goal against the Ho Chi Minh City youth team in the 2024-2025 National Cup qualifying round (in the match that took place yesterday afternoon, October 19) was Nguyen Cong Phuong's "welcoming" gift for Binh Phuoc audiences. Although this was only a goal against a first-class representative in the cup competition, for Cong Phuong personally, the moment of scoring was still very important.
Nearly 2 years after leaving Vietnam to play in Japan, Cong Phuong has found the feeling of scoring goals in a club shirt again.
Cong Phuong celebrates his first goal in Binh Phuoc club shirt
PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB
After reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Yokohama FC, the return to the first division was considered a step back in terms of playing environment for Cong Phuong. The 29-year-old striker left J-League 2 to play in a tournament that is one level below V-League in terms of class. However, perhaps only Cong Phuong understands how meaningful the move to Binh Phuoc is when in just 2 or 3 years, this player will enter the twilight of his career.
For the Binh Phuoc striker, playing is the most important thing. As soon as he returned to Vietnam, Cong Phuong was focused on physical training by the coaching staff. Exercises without the ball to help the 29-year-old rookie regain his strength and running rhythm are the top priority of the coaching staff with many Japanese experts.
In the match against Ho Chi Minh City youth team on the afternoon of October 19, Cong Phuong played energetically and aggressively, moving diligently to coordinate, and had many breakthrough dribbling situations. Although Cong Phuong needs time to regain the impressive image like in the 2020-2021 period when he played the main role of Ho Chi Minh City and HAGL, at this time, regaining confidence is still the most important.
Cong Phuong needs time to get back into the rhythm. But soon, when he recovers his physical strength and playing feeling, the striker born in 1995 will be very formidable.
Competition for top scorer
With a stable scoring performance in Vietnam (29 goals after 64 matches, an average of 0.45 goals/match) and outstanding experience in the top competition, Cong Phuong is the number one candidate for the race for the top scorer title in the 2024 - 2025 first division.
Cong Phuong is supported by many quality teammates.
PHOTO: BINH PHUOC CLUB
Competing with Cong Phuong for goals in the first division is another attacking star, Nguyen Hoang Duc. However, compared to his teammates in the national team, Cong Phuong has an advantage.
He is often placed in the main attacking position, actively approaching the penalty area and finishing. The 29-year-old striker's ability to shoot well with both feet and from a distance has brought him a minimum of 6 goals per season (in V-League) from 2018 to present.
In the first division, the disadvantage for strikers like Cong Phuong is that there are no foreign players to act as walls or run into positions to "open the way". However, the striker born in 1995 does not have to face foreign central defenders who are superior in physique and impact. With the first division mainly consisting of clubs and young players, the experience that Cong Phuong has accumulated during his years of "collision" in many football backgrounds will be put to use.
According to statistics in the last 7 seasons, to win the top scorer title, Cong Phuong and other strikers need to score from 10 to 15 goals. In the last 2 seasons, top scorers such as Bui Van Binh (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) or Nguyen Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND) only scored 11 and 10 goals respectively. Particularly in the 2017 and 2021 seasons, the top scorer only had... 5 goals (in which the 2021 season was canceled halfway).
However, this season, when teams like Binh Phuoc and Ninh Binh have renewed many attacking stars, and PVF-CAND has become more experienced after many seasons, players who want to become top scorers probably need at least 15 goals.
This is also the number Cong Phuong is expected to meet, if placed in the right position. The 29-year-old striker needs a boost after difficult years.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vua-pha-luoi-giai-hang-nhat-cong-phuong-thong-tri-duong-dua-185241019100806658.htm
Comment (0)