Is Cong Phuong worthy of the role of captain?

(Baonghean.vn) - Up to this point, Coach Nguyen Huu Thang has not officially announced who is the captain of the Vietnam U22 team. But according to many sources, the person receiving that honor is none other than striker Cong Phuong.

In the U22 Vietnam team, there are many faces capable of taking on the captain's armband. Xuan Truong, Van Khanh, Tien Dung, Duy Manh... have all proven their leadership qualities in both club and national team colors. However, objectively speaking, striker Cong Phuong is the most deserving.

Currently, the striker born in 1995 is the current captain of HAGL competing in V.League 2017. At the age of 22, Cong Phuong is the youngest captain among the 14 participating teams. That proves that the player from Nghe An receives a lot of trust from the HAGL coaching board. If Cong Phuong did not possess the qualities of a leader, then there is no way Mr. Duc would leave him alone.

Cong Phuong (left) is the captain of HAGL in V.League 2017. Photo: Internet.

In the past, Cong Phuong used to wear the captain's armband for the Vietnam U19 team, after Dong Trieu had to retire due to injury. And not long ago, in the friendly match between Vietnam U23 and Malaysia U23 that took place last February, the player born in 1995 was the one honored to wear the captain's armband.

Answering reporters’ questions, Coach Nguyen Huu Thang affirmed: “Before the match, I had a very careful discussion with the coaching staff about the three people who could wear the captain’s armband: Duy Manh, Tien Dung and Cong Phuong. After analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each person, I decided to give the captain’s armband to Cong Phuong.

Phuong has shown responsibility and leadership qualities in training and activities at U23 Vietnam. That is the reason I decided to give the captain's armband to Cong Phuong. As you can see, when the pressure was relieved, Phuong had a very good match today." That means, coach Nguyen Huu Thang observed and thought a lot before putting his trust in Cong Phuong.

Cong Phuong and coach Nguyen Huu Thang at the press conference at AFF Cup 2016. Photo: Internet.

As a player who has held the captain's armband for many years at SLNA and the Vietnam National Team, Coach Nguyen Huu Thang understands better than anyone the necessary factors to make an excellent captain. According to the plan, it will be a few days before the owner of the captain's armband for the Vietnam U22 team is revealed. But right now, everyone knows that Cong Phuong is the chosen one. Simply put, he is worthy, at least, in the eyes of Coach Nguyen Huu Thang./.

Thanh Hung