VietNamNet Bridge – A source from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said that Le Cong Vinh, Vietnam’s leading striker, will not be convened to the first gathering of the national squad in 2013 in Hanoi on January 23.




January 7 is the deadline for the VFF to register a preliminary list of 50 players to the organizing board of the Asian Cup 2015 qualifier. According to the VFF, this list has been made because the federation could not wait for the caretaker.

"Cong Vinh did not perform well recently. Moreover, this time the team will give the chance to young players as a preparation for the 27th Southeast Asian Games," said an official of the VFF.

Earlier, the VFF executive board decided to use players of the U22 team as the core of the national team this time. However, the team will retain the best players, both professional and ethical, of the old team.

Cong Vinh said after his disappointing performance in the AFF Cup 2012: "I would like to take responsibility for my performance. Indeed, when reviewing the tapes, I also found myself disappointed. I do not know why I did that bad. Maybe in the past 8 years, this is my worst performance. It's sad to think about it."

About his possible absence from the national team in the first gathering of 2013, Vinh said: "I think I have it because my current form is not good. The national team needs players with the best form. Unfortunately, after eight years of dedication, I had a bad tournament and I always blame myself. However, it is unfair to say that I do not have the desire of devotion to the country," Vinh said.

Cong Vinh’s absence in the list has raised controversy because VFF vice president Le Hung Dung confirmed that the VFF would not call up players who did not have good form, especially positive spirit of competition in the AFF Cup.

Compiled by Nam Nguyen