Watching Cong Phuong score, coach Kim Sang-sik still has to rely on the Hanoi FC striker

On the afternoon of October 19, Nguyen Cong Phuong made his debut for his new team Binh Phuoc in the 2024/2025 National Cup against Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club. It only took him 5 minutes to score his first goal in front of coach Kim Sang-sik. However, it is difficult to say that the standard of play that Cong Phuong provided was enough to convince the Korean coach.

Cong Phuong still...not good

A rookie striker scoring in the 5th minute naturally brought joy to the fans. The team won by a narrow margin, and Cong Phuong was the brightest star. But in the frame of reference of experts, it is difficult to say that Nguyen Cong Phuong played well. Because, apart from the moment of scoring a goal with one touch, Cong Phuong "disappeared".

Coach Kim Sang-sik met Cong Phuong privately after the match.

Remember, in front of Nguyen Cong Phuong in this match are only Ho Van Duy Bao and Nguyen Ly Nam Cung. Duy Bao has been injured for a long time and has not been able to find a place at Da Nang Club - a team that has been playing poorly in V.League. Nam Cung mainly plays in the First Division and only has the advantage of physical strength. These two players are not top quality defenders.

But then, the striker born in 1995 still struggled to control the ball or break through to overcome his opponent. He only had one more notable shot when he shot over the bar in the 28th minute. When the second half had passed more than 13 minutes. Coach Nguyen Anh Duc replaced his student from the field, ending Cong Phuong's match day. Mr. Duc understood that if he kept "forcing" Cong Phuong to play, it would not be good for him personally and Binh Phuoc Club.

Cong Phuong played behind Thanh Binh but did not create a good enough glue between the midfield and the attack. Binh Phuoc attacked based on quick transitions instead of ball possession. This is not right for a candidate for promotion next season.

Coach Kim Sang-sik relies on Tuan Hai?

A month ago, coach Kim Sang-sik immediately removed Cong Phuong from the Vietnam national team. He could not find data when the former HAGL player did not play. But even when he did play, if his performance was not good enough, the 47-year-old strategist would hardly trust Cong Phuong and pay the price with his own seat.

In the two make-up matches of round 4 of V.League, Nguyen Xuan Son and Pham Tuan Hai both shined. Xuan Son scored consecutively and seemed to relieve the psychological pressure. This naturalized player cannot immediately play for the Vietnam national team. The option that needs to be monitored is still Pham Tuan Hai.

After nearly a month of treatment for a thigh injury, Tuan Hai returned in the match against Hanoi Police Club. In fact, the capital team did not play well, they only relied on Tuan Hai and Van Quyet in the situation where the foreign players played so poorly. The abundant energy that the striker born in 1998 brought on the left wing was very helpful for coach Le Duc Tuan.

In the 58th minute, he scored a superb goal against Nguyen Filip after a pass from Van Quyet. The goal was disallowed. In the 14th minute of extra time, Tuan Hai successfully kicked a penalty and won back 1 point for the home team.

More importantly, playing in a top-level environment helps Tuan Hai maintain his outstanding physical condition. He admitted that he really wants to have more tense, high-intensity matches to continue improving himself.

Given the current situation, coach Kim Sang-sik may still have to rely on players with high performance like Tuan Hai and Tien Linh. Nguyen Cong Phuong has one more month to change Mr. Kim's decision before the AFF Cup 2024 kicks off.

Mai Phuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/xem-cong-phuong-ghi-ban-hlv-kim-sang-sik-van-phai-cay-nho-tien-dao-ha-noi-fc-ar902894.html