Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Viet Nam’s star striker Nguyen Cong Phuong yesterday officially signed for South Korean side Incheon United, leaving Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) on a one year loan deal.
He is the third Vietnamese player to have moved abroad in recent weeks, after goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and midfielder Luong Xuan Truong in 2019.
After Viet Nam’s success at last year’s Asian U23 Championship, Asian Games and ASEAN Football Championship as well as the Asian Cup this January, Vietnamese players have drawn international attention.
Lam was the first to secure a dream move when he signed a three-year deal with the Thai League’s Muangthong United. Truong followed him weeks later on a loan deal to Buriram United in Thailand, also departing HAGL.
They have made Viet Nam’s dream of having international footballers a reality, but now the hard work truly begins.
In the past several Vietnamese players have moved abroad, giving hope of enhancing the nation’s level of football but none, including Phuong, made it.
The first time Phuong moved overseas was in 2015 when he signed one loan for Japanese side Mito Hollyhock of the J.League 2. The 24-year-old from Nghe An Province, his trainers at the HAGL JMG Academy and football lovers hoped he would shine. However Phuong did not succeed and returned home quietly after a year.
His teammate at HAGL, Truong also struggled during his two years playing for Incheon United and Gangwon in South Korea.
Earlier, striker Le Huynh Duc, midfielders Luong Trung Tuan and Nguyen Viet Thang and Viet Nam’s best ever forward Le Cong Vinh also played abroad. All of them struggled in a different environment and culture and failed integrate with their new teammates.
Vinh was the only one to play in Europe in 2009, and then in Asia in 2013, but after returning home he posted on his Facebook that: "Four months to make familiar with a new environment is not simple. Exhausted from practising every day. Different culture, weather, language and many other things to learn to change..."
He said that in such circumstances, even having a chance to play was great.
These are not the only obstacles they will face in the near future.
The newcomers will have to fight for berths in their teams against top quality players who have been at their clubs for a long time.
Goalie Lam might have the best chance to succeed as he has the best foundation.
The Vietnamese-Russian was trained in Moscow before returning to compete in Viet Nam and his performances at the AFF Cup and the Asian Cup persuaded Muanthong to pay US$500,000 for his signature, making him the most expensive goalkeeper ever of the club and Viet Nam.
Truong, meanwhile, has a clause in his contract guaranteeing he will play 80 per cent of his team’s matches, so stiff competition in the form of Japan international and former Bundsliga player Hosogai Hajime shouldn’t be a huge concern.
At Incheon United, apart from Phuong, the club is home to nine strikers such as Montenegro international Stefan Mugosa and Moon Chang-jin, who joined the team last month and has scored 99 goals in the K.League 1 so far.
Chance is open
"Playing in South Korea will definitely be a challenge for me. But it is also an opportunity. I will practise hard to adjust with the new competition level. It will be difficult but I am not worried about that, I am confident that I can make it," Phuong said to reporters at a press conference yesterday in Incheon.
"I am happy to play for Incheon United. It is a good club. I will work well and hope to contribute my best as a Vietnamese. I will not let people down," he said, adding that through national coach of Viet Nam team Park Hang-seo, he learnt a lot about South Korean football. His teammate Truong also told him about the club.
"I will fix my weak points while bringing into play my strong ones. The K.League is tough but I will find chances to score.
"Hope that my move to the K.League will be a strong push for other Vietnamese players to go abroad. It will lift Viet Nam’s football up."
Football expert Doan Minh Xuong supported their moves saying: "Three years ago they (Phuong and Truong) were too young to play in such a professional leagues compared to Viet Nam. Their lack of experience and preparation prevented them from shining. They proved their talents in 2018 with good technique, solid spirit and confidence. They will make their break in their new environment.”
He added that having players competing abroad meant Vietnamese football was at a higher level.
"I think this time Phuong will be different. He played well at the Asian Cup and he made teams want to buy him. He has his chance and let’s see how he takes it," former striker Le Cong Vinh said.
The Thai League will begin next week while the K.League kicks off in early March. — VNS