Cong Phuong has not yet proven his leadership role.

(Baonghean.vn) - HAGL suffered their third consecutive defeat after coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan and his team were defeated by SLNA with a score of 2-0. One of the players who left the biggest disappointment was star player Cong Phuong.

Traveling to Vinh Stadium to play as a guest against SLNA in round 10 of V. League, HAGL is expected to end the losing streak at 2 matches when the home team is facing numerous difficulties both in terms of expertise and fighting spirit. The humiliating defeat with a score of 1-3 at Thong Nhat Stadium of Saigon FC, along with rumors related to central defender Que Ngoc Hai, has put SLNA in a miserable situation.

Meeting the Nghe An team at this time is the best opportunity for coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan and his team to regain the joy of victory after the bitter failures right on the "holy land" of Pleiku against Ho Chi Minh City Club and S. Khanh Hoa. Obviously, considering all factors before the match, apart from the home field advantage, SLNA is not better, if not weaker than the away team from the Central Highlands.

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

However, the expectations of HAGL fans did not come true when Cong Phuong and his teammates had a lackluster performance against SLNA. It is undeniable that HAGL's coaching staff was weak in terms of tactics, because their playing style was too easy for opponents to predict. But the responsibility of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan's students was also quite large, leading to HAGL's quick and comprehensive defeat at Vinh Stadium. And the most blameworthy person must be striker and captain Cong Phuong.

In his return to his homeland to face SLNA, once again “Vietnamese Messi” played poorly. Facing a defense that was considered lacking in solidity and stability like the Nghe An team (conceding goals in all 9 matches in V. League 2017), Cong Phuong still could not do anything.

During the 90 minutes on the field, the player wearing the number 10 shirt only made a few quick dribbles, then was immediately neutralized in the midfield area. The qualities that have been praised by the public for so long were nowhere to be seen from the feet of the striker from Do Luong.

After dropping deep to receive the ball, moving to the left wing to coordinate with Van Thanh and Hong Duy, Cong Phuong still could not escape the control of Van Vinh, Que Ngoc Hai and Sy Nam. It was the harmlessness of the 1995-born player that caused HAGL's attack to fall into a deadlock.

The visitors' coordinated moves and attacks fell into a dead end before SLNA's solid wall. It felt like the weak punches that HAGL made were like hitting their heads against a wall.

“Vietnamese Messi” pales in Vinh stadium. Photo: Duc Anh

Unable to lead the team's attack, Cong Phuong also faded in his role as a goalscorer. Arranged to play in the striker position, the striker with 3 goals and 3 assists could not launch a single dangerous shot towards goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's goal.

Possessing skillful individual techniques and the ability to operate independently, Cong Phuong showed a lack of feeling in choosing favorable positions to receive passes from his teammates. This player's range of activities only revolved around an area quite far from SLNA's penalty area. Therefore, Cong Phuong was blocked by the home team's midfielders and defenders.

Not only has his pure expertise not been proven, even Cong Phuong's spirit has brought disappointment. Wearing the captain's armband of HAGL, Cong Phuong has not proven his role as a true leader.

In a match dominated by the home team SLNA with an early goal from Olaha in the first minute, the players from the Central Highlands showed tension and passivity, while Cong Phuong still played quietly without any action to stimulate the fighting spirit of his teammates. That shows that Cong Phuong's captaincy is just "in name only".

Not only that, the striker born in 1995 also occasionally showed an inappropriate attitude towards the referee. Specifically, in the 61st minute, when his teammate Van Toan was flagged offside by the linesman, Cong Phuong was upset and wanted to rush to the sideline to argue, but Que Ngoc Hai from SLNA promptly stopped him. With a resentful expression, the former U19 Vietnam player implied that the referees had forced HAGL by ignoring the home team's fouls.

Cong Phuong made some malicious tackles. Photo: Duc Anh

There were even some situations where Cong Phuong made malicious tackles, typically a dangerous high kick against home team defender Ngoc Duc... The 22-year-old striker's actions went against HAGL's principles of beautiful football.

However, for a young player like Cong Phuong, in a situation where his team was losing, it is understandable and sympathetic to let such unsightly actions happen.

But in terms of expertise, the striker who spent a year studying in Japan for Mito Hollyhock Club deserves criticism from fans. HAGL's defeat to SLNA at Vinh Stadium in the last round was largely due to star player Cong Phuong. Is it possible that the player from Do Luong is slowing down, or is his talent limited to that level? Only Cong Phuong can give the most accurate answer./.

Thanh Hung