Talented and well-rounded leader of U.20 Vietnam

No more confusion

There was a time when Nguyen Cong Phuong was mentioned a lot, because his name... resembled his senior Nguyen Cong Phuong. It was hard to blame the fans for the confusion, because Cong Phuong was too famous, while Cong Phuong a few years ago was only at the potential seed level.

However, that seed sprouted and grew quickly in the 2025 U.20 Asian qualifiers, when Cong Phuong played excellently, becoming the leader in the playing style that the duo of coach Hua Hien Vinh and technical director Phan Thanh Hung were building.

Cong Phuong (number 10) is the captain of U.20 Vietnam.

In the match against U.20 Bhutan, Cong Phuong was "hidden" by the coaching staff when he was placed on the bench in the first half. However, because U.20 Vietnam did not play up to the requirements in the first half, the brightest star had to come out. Cong Phuong only needed one half to confirm his role, when he left his mark on 4 goals.

He poked the ball through to make it 2-0, with just a glance before passing. Then, Cong Phuong cut in to steal the ball from the Bhutan U.20 defender, sprinted nearly half the length of the field and scored. The player born in 2006 continued to explode in the final minutes with an accurate cross for his teammate to score, before shooting from a distance that hit the crossbar and hit the net, ending a "5-star" performance.

Highlight U.20 Vietnam 3-0 U.20 Guam | U.20 Asia Qualifiers

In the match against U.20 Guam, Cong Phuong shined again with a tricky free kick to double the gap. The 18-year-old player's 5 goals came from 5 different scenarios: free kick, through ball, long shot, solo dribble to score.

Cong Phuong scored a free kick against U.20 Guam Island

Remember, although the opponents Cong Phuong scored against all came from weaker football backgrounds. But U.20 Bhutan, the opponent whose net was scored against by the 18-year-old star twice, played resiliently against U.20 Syria and only lost by a moment.

Just the beginning

In the U.20 Vietnam team that Mr. Hua Hien Vinh is leading, not to mention professional level, there are few players as comprehensive as Cong Phuong.

When he was only 9 years old, Cong Phuong was allowed by his family to join the Hai Duong provincial sports center, then excelled in the national children's football tournament and caught the attention of the Viettel The Cong training center. He followed the path that many seniors such as Hoang Duc, Tien Anh, Trong Dai (Viettel The Cong), Van Thanh, Van Toan (HAGL) have followed, which is to shine in the cradle of Hai Duong, then be taken care of by a large training center.

Before shining in the U.20 Vietnam team, Cong Phuong was the leader of the U.16 team. The midfielder wearing the number 10 shirt is a typical example of the saying talent does not wait for age. With a height of 1.77m, the ability to play skillfully with both feet, good tactical vision and finishing skills, Cong Phuong is a rare type of attacking midfielder who can both lead the game and participate in finishing situations.

However, youth football has many variables. There have been stars who rose to prominence in the youth arena, but faded away at the threshold of adulthood. To go in the right direction, Cong Phuong needs to be given the opportunity to compete regularly and be guided by good teachers. This factor, the player born in 2006 possesses more than anyone else.

Cong Phuong is mature at the age of 18

Cong Phuong plays for one of the teams that uses young players most often, always prioritizing "homegrown" products like The Cong Viettel. Last season, the midfielder born in 2006 played 5 matches in V-League (total 129 minutes). He is one of the young stars who made the earliest debut in V-League.

Viettel The Cong is not afraid to give opportunities to young people, as long as they prove their ability. The example of Hoang Duc, Van Khang, Tien Anh, Thanh Binh, Tuan Tai, Manh Hung... will motivate Cong Phuong. Early exposure in the V-League is an opportunity for the 18-year-old midfielder to gain experience.

However, the most important thing is still Cong Phuong's own efforts. The gap between youth football and top football is vast, requiring effort, courage and humility - things that not every young player has. There have been budding young stars, only to lose themselves because they could not keep a "cool head" amidst the endless praise.

Cong Phuong has potential, but the journey to reach his potential for the midfielder from Hai Duong will still be very long.

FPT Play - The only unit to broadcast the entire LPBank V.League 1-2024/25, at https://fptplay.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguyen-cong-phuong-thu-linh-tai-nang-va-toan-dien-cua-u20-viet-nam-185240926193117997.htm