Thai striker advises Cong Phuong before going to Japan

Teerasil Dangda, who used to play in La Liga, shared his experiences and encouraged Cong Phuong before going to Japan to play.

Dangda was born in 1992 but has played for the Thai national team in nearly 100 matches and scored more than 30 goals. Photo: Duc Dong.

- As one of the few Southeast Asian players with experience in top European football, how do you feel?

- In 2007, I went to Man City for a trial but was unsuccessful. Five years later, the same thing happened when I went to Atletico Madrid for a trial. However, in 2014, as a player of SCG Muangthong United, I was given the opportunity to go to Almeria (Spain) on loan for a season. On August 24 of that year, I was able to play and became the first player in the history of Thai football to play in La Liga. I remember it was a match against Espanyol. During my season there, I scored a goal.

I am very happy to be playing in one of the most attractive football leagues in the world. Even though I did not achieve much, I am still satisfied because I got to experience the feeling of playing in La Liga, something I could only watch on TV before. Playing abroad also helped me mature a lot.

- In the near future, a series of young Vietnamese players such as Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh or Xuan Truong will be sent to Japan and Korea to compete. What advice do you have for them?

- Moving to a higher level of competition, the most important thing is to be well prepared for everything so as not to be surprised. That is learning about the new club's playing style, culture, lifestyle, and living conditions in the new environment. If there is careful preparation, the player can adapt. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to survive.

As a close follower of Vietnamese football, I see that young Vietnamese players today have good techniques, typically Cong Phuong has the ability to make great changes. Hopefully he will seize this good opportunity to develop further.

Today, December 23, Cong Phuong will officially sign a one-year contract to play for Mito Hollyhock Club. Photo: Duc Dong.

- You have been playing in the Thai-League since you were 18. What do you think about this tournament, and what do you know about the V-League?

- V-League was born and developed before Thai-League. There was a time when many good Thai players flocked to Vietnam to play, making many people feel hurt about the country's reputation. We took that as motivation to develop Thai-League better. Solidarity and effort have made Thai-League develop to what it is today.

- What factors have made Thai-League change so quickly and effectively?

- Previously, Thai football teams played on neutral grounds, the clubs did not have their own stadiums and lacked identity. Therefore, the audience at the stadium was mainly friends and relatives. Besides, the players did not consider football as their main source of income, but mostly came from other professions, and only put on their shoes and go to the field after finishing their work.

Later, social perceptions changed everything. Players became aware of their roles. Owners took better care of the team, helping players earn high incomes so they could play football with peace of mind. Fans also contributed to the revival of Thai-League by coming to the stadium in larger numbers, buying shirts and copyrighted souvenirs of the team.

On January 23, 2016, Teerasil Dangda and CSG Muangthong United will go to Ho Chi Minh City to compete with Binh Duong Club within the framework of the 2016 ASEAN Tour of the Thai-League runner-up.

According to VNE