Cong Phuong has yet to prove his leadership role.

(Baonghean.vn) - HAGL suffered their third consecutive defeat after coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan's team was beaten 2-0 by SLNA. One of the players who left the biggest disappointment was star player Cong Phuong.

Traveling to Vinh to face SLNA in Round 10 of the V. League, HAGL was expected to end their two-match losing streak, as the home team was facing numerous difficulties both professionally and mentally. A humiliating 1-3 defeat at Thong Nhat Stadium against Saigon FC, along with rumors surrounding center-back Que Ngoc Hai, had plunged SLNA into a dire situation.

Facing the Nghe An team at this time presents an ideal opportunity for Coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan's team to rediscover the joy of victory after bitter defeats at their home ground in Pleiku against Ho Chi Minh City FC and S. Khanh Hoa. Clearly, considering all factors before kick-off, apart from the home advantage, SLNA is not superior, if not somewhat weaker, than the visiting team from the Central Highlands.

SLNA players "take good care" of Cong Phuong. Photo: Duc Anh

However, the expectations of HAGL fans were not met as Cong Phuong and his teammates delivered a lackluster performance against SLNA. The tactical shortcomings of HAGL's coaching staff are undeniable, as their playing style was too easily predictable by opponents. But the players under coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan also bear significant responsibility for HAGL's swift and comprehensive defeat in Vinh. And the most culpable person is undoubtedly striker and captain Cong Phuong.

In his return to his hometown to face SLNA, "Vietnamese Messi" once again delivered a lackluster performance. Against a defense considered unreliable and unstable like that of the Nghe An team (who conceded goals in all 9 matches of the 2017 V. League), Cong Phuong was still unable to make any impact.

Throughout his 90-minute appearance on the field, the player wearing the number 10 jersey only managed a few dribbling runs before being neutralized in the midfield. The qualities that the public had long praised were nowhere to be seen from the feet of the striker from Do Luong.

Despite dropping deep to receive the ball and drifting to the left wing to combine with Van Thanh and Hong Duy, Cong Phuong still couldn't break free from the marking of Van Vinh, Que Ngoc Hai, or Sy Nam. The ineffectiveness of the 1995-born player led to a deadlock in HAGL's attack.

The visiting team's coordinated attacks and forward runs were met with dead ends against SLNA's solid defensive wall. It felt like HAGL's weak attempts were like running headfirst into a wall.

"Vietnamese Messi" was lackluster on the pitch in Vinh. Photo: Duc Anh

Unable to lead his team's attack, Cong Phuong also underperformed in his role as a goalscorer. Positioned as a central striker, the player who has scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists failed to produce a single dangerous shot on goal against goalkeeper Nguyen Manh.

Despite possessing excellent individual technique and strong independent attacking capabilities, Cong Phuong lacked the sense to choose advantageous positions to receive passes from his teammates. His range of activity was confined to areas quite far from the SLNA penalty box. As a result, Cong Phuong was repeatedly neutralized by the home team's midfielders and defenders.

Not only did Công Phượng fail to demonstrate his technical skills, but even his mental fortitude was disappointing. Wearing the captain's armband for HAGL, Công Phượng did not prove himself to be a true leader.

In a match where SLNA was dominating with an early goal from Olaha in the first minute, the players from the Central Highlands showed signs of tension and passivity, while Cong Phuong remained silent and did not take any action to motivate his teammates. This shows that Cong Phuong's captain's armband was merely a title without substance.

Furthermore, the 1995-born striker occasionally displayed inappropriate behavior towards the referee. Specifically, in the 61st minute, when his teammate Van Toan was flagged offside by the linesman, Cong Phuong showed his frustration and attempted to rush to the sideline to argue, but Que Ngoc Hai of SLNA intervened in time. With a resentful expression, the former Vietnam U19 national team player implied that the referees had unfairly treated HAGL by ignoring fouls committed by the home team.

Cong Phuong made several malicious tackles. Photo: Duc Anh

There were even instances where Cong Phuong committed malicious tackles, such as the dangerous high kick against defender Ngoc Duc of the home team... The actions of the 22-year-old striker go against HAGL's principles of beautiful football.

However, for a young player like Cong Phuong, it's understandable and forgivable that he would engage in such unsportsmanlike conduct when his team is trailing.

However, from a professional standpoint, the striker, who spent a year training in Japan with Mito Hollyhock, deserves the criticism of the fans. HAGL's defeat against SLNA in Vinh in the last round was largely due to the mistakes of star player Cong Phuong. Could it be that the player from Do Luong is stagnating, or that his talent has only reached its limit? Only Cong Phuong himself can provide the most accurate answer.

Thanh Hung