At 7:00 p.m. tonight (April 24, local time), or 5:00 p.m. (Vietnam time), Yokohama FC will play against Okayama in the Japanese Federation Cup. Notably, striker Nguyen Cong Phuong will play in the official squad.
This is the first time since moving to Yokohama FC at the end of 2022 that Cong Phuong has been registered by this team as part of the official squad list. Before that, Cong Phuong was only able to play once in the J.League Cup. At that time, he played no more than 1 minute before the match ended.
Cong Phuong explained his lack of playing time last year: “In the 2023 season, I will often be assigned to play as a defensive midfielder. This is a position I have never played before, so it feels quite strange and forced to adapt. I have always been a striker, so I think I will be more effective if I am placed in the right position.”
The Vietnamese striker further expressed: “Last season, I was often placed a bit far from the goal so I couldn’t finish many shots. Instead, I passed and assisted more, even though my strength was finishing.” and scored. Therefore, I think if I play in the right position, I will have an easier time scoring.”
Cong Phuong is the Vietnamese player who has played for the most foreign clubs, including Mito Hollyhock and Yokohama in Japan, Incheon United of Korea and Sint-Truidense VV of Belgium. Behind him are Luong Xuan Truong with Incheon United and Gangwon FC (Korea), Buriram United (Thailand), and Dang Van Lam with HAGL Attapeu (Laos), Muangthong United (Thailand), Cerezo Osaka (Japan).
