Cong Phuong admits it's difficult to join the Vietnamese team

Since joining the Japanese team, Cong Phuong has only once entered the field at the official tournament, but in the 90th minute, he lost to Nagoya Grampus 2-3 on April 5. The 28-year-old striker was not registered after 13 rounds in the J-League 1 and was benched in three of the four at the J-League Cup.

When asked about the opportunity to be called up to the Vietnamese team, Cong Phuong admitted difficulties. "In order to be selected for the national team, the first thing I have to do is play a lot for Yokohama FC," he told Hochi newspaper. "I'm working hard every day to seize the opportunity."

In 2023, the Vietnamese team first gathered in early March for five days, but Cong Phuong was not available due to the calendar outside of the FIFA Day calendar. The second gathering will take place in mid-June with an international friendly.

Cong Phuong said he has not received direct instructions from the new coach Philippe Troussier. "I don't know if he knows me," Cong Phuong said. "I think people in Japan know more about Coach Troussier than I do."

After a series of 14 games without a win, Yokohama FC has won two of the last three, both in J-League 1 including 1-0 Niigata in round 11 and 1-0 Kashiwa Reysol in round 13. The team is ranked 17th in the J-League. 1 with nine points, two points behind the team ranked above Kashiwa Reysol.

Cong Phuong admits that this is a positive signal for the team and himself, even though he rarely plays. Besides, Nghe An striker feels better and better integrated with the J-League 1 environment after half a year with Yokohama FC.

Cong Phuong's distant goal is to attend the 2023 Asian Cup held in Qatar in January 2024, where Vietnam shares the same group as Japan, Indonesia and Iraq. "Meeting a strong team like Japan makes Vietnam stronger," Phuong said. "If I can participate, I want to score goals and win."

Tomorrow 20/5, Yokohama FC will play round 14 of J-League 1 against Kawasaki Frontale – the team with Chanathip Songkraisn. However, the possibility of two Southeast Asian players playing against each other is very low.

Compared to Cong Phuong, Chanathip is better when he played five matches from the beginning of the season and scored one goal. Most prominent is Supachok Sarachat when he played seven games for Consadole Sapporo, scoring three and assisting one.