VietNamNet Bridge – Seeing the recently dazzling performances of Cong Phuong, a Japanese FC - Avispa Fukuoka, wants to “borrow” the young striker. However, it is not the first foreign team interested in Cong Phuong.

Cong Phuong (No. 10).

Cong Phuong was the best Vietnamese player in the qualifying round of U23 Asia Champs. In the game against Malaysia, he scored one goal and helped his teammate score the remaining goal, making a 2-1 victory for Vietnam.

In the match v.s Japan, Cong Phuong caused problems for Japanese players.

In the last match with Macau, Cong Phuong scored a hat-trick, contributing greatly to the 7-0 triumph of Vietnam, through which Vietnam won a card to the finals in Qatar next year.

Cong Phuong’s performance was praised by many newspapers in the region and many foreign FCs have been eyeing the Vietnamese striker, who plays for the V-League FC Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL).

HAGL FC’s boss Doan Nguyen Duc recently said that Avispa Fukuoka – a Japanese FC – wanted to “borrow” Cong Phuong, like the way Consadole Sapporo FC hiring Cong Vinh in 2013.

In fact, Avispa Fukuoka is not the first foreign team interested in Cong Phuong.

Last September, the director of the PSV Eindhoven Young Player Training Center, Art Langeler, called midfielder Danny van Bakel of Thanh Hoa FC to ask about Cong Phuong. He wanted to take Cong Phuong to the Netherlands. However, HAGL FC’s boss Doan Nguyen Duc said it was not the time for Cong Phuong to play football in Europe.

Early this year, a representative of Mito Hollyhock, another Japanese FC, went to Vietnam to track some Vietnamese football talents at the V-League, including Cong Phuong. He met with HAGL FC officials to discuss taking Cong Phuong to Japan but boss Doan Nguyen Duc refused. Sangju Sangmu, a Korean FC, was also very interested in Cong Phuong.

Even coach Arsene Wenger watched videotapes of some matches of Cong Phuong and highly praised Phuong’s techniques.

Cong Phuong ranked 3rd of the top goal-scorers at the 2015 Asian U23 Football Championship qualifications. He scored four goals at the qualification, just behind Omar Khribin of Syria (6 goals) and Australian Jamie Maclaren (5 goals).

Cong Phuong, 20, plays as a forward for Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) F.C. He is a product of HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy. Phuong was promoted to HAGL F.C. first team in 2015.

He captained U19 Vietnam at 2014 AFC U-19 Championship. Nicknamed "Vietnamese Messi" by fans and media due to his playing style and body physique, Phuong is one of the most promising football talents in Vietnam.

Bong Da