Vietnamese Football News Roundup 11/1: Le Phat receives 'secret orders' from Coach Kim, Cong Phuong shines.
The Vietnam U23 team maintained their momentum in the continental arena, thanks to the outstanding performances of individual players. Meanwhile, star player Cong Phuong scored a goal to help Dong Nai defeat Ho Chi Minh City FC.
Vietnamese football on January 11th witnessed positive developments from the U23 youth team to veteran stars. The spotlight was on young talent Nguyen Le Phat's comments about coach Kim Sang-sik's philosophy and Nguyen Cong Phuong's impressive goal-scoring form for Dong Nai FC.
Le Phat and the 'secret' to relieving pressure from coach Kim Sang-sik.
Given the opportunity to start both matches for the Vietnam U23 team, Nguyen Le Phat quickly proved his worth instead of just being seen as a backup option. Speaking on the sidelines of training, the young striker said his confidence came from the close encouragement of the South Korean coach.
According to Le Phat, coach Kim Sang-sik always reminded him that the primary task of a young player is to move with high intensity and play confidently. "He reminded me that as the youngest on the team, I needed to put in my best effort. The important thing isn't how strong the opponent is, but not to be afraid and to show my true abilities," Le Phat shared.
VFF warns against complacency ahead of crucial match against Saudi Arabia.
Despite the U23 Vietnam team having a significant advantage, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan held a cordial meeting to reinforce mental discipline among the entire team. He particularly emphasized the lessons learned from the 2023 U20 Asian Championship, where the team won their first two matches but were still eliminated early, reminding the players not to become complacent until the final whistle.
This caution is necessary as our next opponent is the Saudi Arabia U23 team. According to expert analysis, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team only needs to win at least 1 point to guarantee their place in the quarterfinals as group A winners (7 points), regardless of the results of the other matches.
Cong Phuong maintains impressive goal-scoring form.
At the club level, Nguyen Cong Phuong continued to be the center of attention when he helped Dong Nai FC win a friendly match against Ho Chi Minh City FC at Ba Ria Stadium. Against a well-organized opponent, Cong Phuong and his teammates at the Eastern team implemented an effective attacking style of play.
The former HAGL star scored the opening goal, making a significant contribution to the final victory. Cong Phuong's consistent performance is good news for Dong Nai Club as they prepare for their upcoming goals.
The appeal of the Vietnam U23 team at the regional level.
The 2-1 victory against U23 Kyrgyzstan not only opened the door for U23 Vietnam to advance but also received great praise from fans in the region, especially Malaysia. On social media forums, many Malaysian football fans offered civilized congratulations, acknowledging the resilience of the 'Golden Star Warriors'.
Regarding the officiating of the upcoming match, the AFC has appointed referee Alexander George King (Australian nationality) to officiate the match between Vietnam U23 and Saudi Arabia U23. King is considered one of Asia's top FIFA referees, promising to ensure fairness in this crucial match.
