Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong has been forced to withdraw from the Vietnam national team during the current training camp ahead of the crucial Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Malaysia.

The forward is unable to recover in time from a foot injury (plantar pain) and has returned to his club, Binh Phuoc FC, to continue treatment.

Cong Phuong participated in his first training session with the national team on May 30 but was absent from the next two sessions before briefly returning on June 2. However, after a thorough examination, the team’s medical staff advised him to stop training for further monitoring.

This is a significant disappointment for Cong Phuong, who had been determined to make an impact in this training camp. It marked his return to the national team after nearly two years, and he was in peak form.

Prior to joining the national squad, Cong Phuong scored a total of nine goals for Binh Phuoc FC - seven in the First Division and two in the National Cup. Notably, he had become particularly dangerous from set pieces in recent matches. Head coach Kim Sang Sik had personally attended one of his games before adding the 30-year-old striker to the national team roster.

His absence is a setback for head coach Kim Sang Sik, especially as the team faces a shortage of quality strikers ahead of the pivotal match against Malaysia on June 10.

With Cong Phuong out, Coach Kim now has only three forwards available: Tien Linh, Tuan Hai, and Thanh Binh. Among them, Tien Linh has been out of form, failing to score in 10 consecutive V-League 2024/25 matches. Tuan Hai has shown inconsistency, and Thanh Binh is not considered a prolific goal-scorer.

To strengthen the attacking line, Coach Kim has promoted striker Quoc Viet from the U22 team to the senior squad. Earlier, he also called up young center-back Pham Ly Duc after Thanh Binh and Viet Anh suffered injuries that prevented them from joining the national team.

Phuong is known for his flair, technical skill, and creative attacking play. Born in 1995 in Nghe An province, he rose to prominence with Vietnam’s U19 and U23 teams before becoming a key player for the national team. Often compared to international stars for his dribbling and goal-scoring abilities, Cong Phuong has played for various domestic clubs and had stints abroad in Japan, South Korea, and Belgium. As of 2025, he plays for Binh Phuoc FC and recently made a return to the national team after nearly two years.

Dai Nam