Cong Phuong continues to miss the Vietnam national team; "Holding breath" with Hoang Duc's injury

Vietnam team "holding its breath" with Hoang Duc's injury

Midfielder Hoang Duc's injury has made the Vietnamese team's coaching staff worried before gathering to prepare for the 2024 Asian Cup qualifiers.

In the 89th minute of the match between Phu Dong Ninh Binh and Dong Thap FC in round 8 of the 2024-2025 National First Division, Hoang Duc lay on the field in pain after a collision with a player of the visiting team. Although he tried to continue playing, he still had to leave the field due to the pain.

After the match, Hoang Duc could not walk by himself and had to be carried by his teammates. His left knee was also wrapped in ice. Speaking to the press, coach Nguyen Viet Thang said: "We need X-ray results to determine the extent of Hoang Duc's injury."

If Hoang Duc is seriously injured, this will be a huge loss for Phu Dong Ninh Binh as well as the Vietnamese team. He may miss the national team gathering next March, preparing for the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, with the opening match against Laos at Go Dau Stadium, Binh Duong (March 25).

Coach Kim Sang-sik is currently worried about Hoang Duc's health condition because he is an important player in midfield. ASEAN Cup 2024Recently, Hoang Duc proved his worth as a top star in the region, helping the Vietnamese team's midfield operate effectively, especially in the two final matches, first and second leg, against Thailand.

The Vietnam team is expected to gather in mid-March.

Arsenal liquidates 7 players, raises money for massive shopping spree

During the recent winter transfer window, the Gunners did not sign any players even though they clearly had problems in attack.

However, Arsenal will be equipped with a cash injection at the end of the season to add personnel. Coach Arteta himself admitted that he was disappointed that he could not recruit a new striker earlier this year.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) are the two top targets that the Spanish strategist really likes. However, Arsenal need to liquidate the contracts of some members and cut the salary fund to have enough money to carry out a "blockbuster" deal like Isak.

According to Mirror, Mikel Arteta has approved the departure of 7 first-team stars to facilitate the summer shopping spree. First, Sterling will return to Chelsea. In midfield, Thomas Partey and Jorginho are about to expire, so they will have to find new destinations. Three other names in the defense will be given the green light to leave Emirates: Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko. In addition, goalkeeper Neto will also return to Bournemouth when his loan period ends.

VFF re-invited Brazilian coach to Vietnam U17 team

The Vietnam Football Federation reappointed coach C.Roland to lead the Vietnam U17 team to compete in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship Finals.

Coach C.Roland is the one who led the Vietnam U17 team to pass the 2025 U17 Asia qualifiers to get a ticket to the Final Round which will take place next April.

However, soon after, this Brazilian strategist left U17 Vietnam and became the Technical Director of Da Nang Club.

Therefore, the Vietnam Football Federation must look for a new coach for the team and consider giving a chance to an experienced Japanese expert.

However, a surprise happened at the last minute when coach Roland left Da Nang Club after only 3 consecutive losses in V-League and National Cup to return to work at Hanoi U17 team and open the door to reuniting with Vietnam U17.

According to the latest information, VFF has invited coach Roland to return to lead U17 Vietnam in the U17 Asian tournament and the former player accepted.

However, the Japanese candidate is expected to still sign a contract with VFF to join the coaching staff of the Vietnam U17 team as a "deputy" to coach Roland.

The 2025 AFC U17 Championship will take place from April 3 to 20 in Saudi Arabia, with 16 youth teams from the continent competing. Vietnam U17 is in Group B with Japan, Australia and the UAE.

Cong Phuong continues to miss the Vietnam national team

Recent injury causesStriker Nguyen Cong Phuongalmost certainly miss the national team training session next March.

Cong Phuong unfortunately suffered an injury in the match where Binh Phuoc drew 1-1 with Dong Nai in round 6 of the National First Division on January 19 and has been out of action ever since.

It is known that the injury of the striker born in 1995 from Nghe An is more serious than initially predicted and it will take 2-3 months to be able to return to professional competition.

This is a pity for Cong Phuong personally, because he almost missed the Vietnam national team's training session for the final qualifying round of the Asian Cup next March if he was named by coach Kim Sang-sik.

Previously, a long time as a reserve in Japan gradually made Cong Phuong absent from the national team. The last time he participated was in the FIFA Days friendly match in September 2023, scoring 1 goal to help Vietnam beat Palestine 2-0 at Thien Truong Stadium.

Since returning home to play for the First Division team Binh Phuoc at the end of 2024, Cong Phuong has maintained good form with 4 goals/6 matches in the First Division, and 2 goals/2 matches in the National Cup.

Cong Phuong and before that Nguyen Xuan Son could not join the national team due to injuries, which somewhat reduced the number of strikers./.