Cong Phuong in the eyes of Chinese press

After the first two matches of the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, the Chinese team also came up empty-handed like Vietnam. However, the Chinese press is quite confident when facing coach Park Hang-seo and his team, claiming that the Chinese football team has never lost to the Vietnamese team since 1997.

Chinese hosts are confident

China's Sohu newspaper wrote:“The Chinese football team has never lost to the Vietnamese team in the past 24 years. The Chinese team needs quality friendly matches to improve its current position. Data shows that since 1997, Chinese football has never lost to Vietnamese football at the national team level. So the Chinese team's task in the upcoming match is to win.”

Indeed, in national team level clashes, the victory always belongs to the Chinese team. In 2019, the Vietnam U22 team defeated the Chinese U22 team 2-0 in a friendly match held in China, with 2 goals scored by striker Nguyen Tien Linh. After this match, the coach of the Chinese U22 team at that time, Mr. Guus Hiddink (Netherlands), was fired.

The performance of the Vietnamese team in the first matches of the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup is commendable. Photo: Hai Hoang

Previously, the Vietnamese team lost to the Chinese team in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, one match 1-3 and one match 0-4, both in 1997. In January 2000, the Vietnamese team lost to the Chinese team 0-2 in the Asian Cup qualifiers that same year. In the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Vietnamese team continued to lose to the Chinese team in both the first and second leg matches. In the first leg, Vietnam lost 1-6 on January 21, 2009 in Hangzhou (China), and in the second leg, Vietnam lost 1-2 right at My Dinh Stadium, the match took place on January 17, 2010.

Number 10 Cong Phuong

Sohu newspaper commented:“The striker wearing the number 10 shirt of the Vietnam National Team, Nguyen Cong Phuong, has returned after missing the first two matches of the third qualifying round of the World Cup. Cong Phuong has played in the K-League (South Korea) and in Belgium, so he cannot be underestimated.”

According to this newspaper's assessment, most of Vietnam's strikers are not strong in tackling, but play skillfully and skillfully.Cong Phuongis the player with the most annoying playing style. In counter-attack situations, this number 10 can hold the ball, break into the 16.5m area or keep the ball waiting for Quang Hai and Tien Linh to support.The striker is valued at 15 billion VND by Ho Chi Minh City Club. Cong Phuong can play well both as a striker and an attacking midfielder.

Chinese observers also clearly know that it was not until September 8, 2021 that the Nghe An player who is playing for HAGL was present to join the Vietnam National Team after being absent from the first 2 matches. However, the achievement of scoring 4 goals in 3 practice matches with U22 Vietnam made the Chinese side wary. Over the past 24 years, the Chinese National Teamnever lost to Vietnam teamand now if they can lock down this spearhead they can extend their record.

In two practice matches with U22 Vietnam, Cong Phuong scored 3 goals. Photo FBCN.

In fact, not only Cong Phuong, our Vietnamese team still has Quang Hai, Tien Linh, Duc Chinh, Van Duc and many other players who are capable of scoring against the opponent. The Chinese team is considered the favorite, especially when they have 3 naturalized Brazilian players and 1 English player of Chinese origin. But that cannot stop the determination of the Vietnamese players, including Cong Phuong, to score points. The fact that Cong Phuong has returned and is in good scoring form will help Mr. Park have more options in attack.

An Thanh