Nguyễn Công Phượng


Nguyễn Công Phượng is a Vietnamese footballer who plays as a forward for Hồ Chí Minh City, on loan from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, and the Vietnam national football team.
Lauded "Vietnamese Messi" by fans and the media due to his playing style and physique, Công Phượng is one of the most promising football talents in Vietnam. He is a product of HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy and was promoted to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai first team in 2015. Công Phượng was voted in 2015 as the 'Best Young Player of the Year. He married in 2020.

Early life

Công Phượng was born on 21 January 1995 in Mỹ Sơn, Đô Lương District, Nghệ An Province. He is the fifth child out of seventeen children of Nguyễn Công Bảy and Nguyễn Thị Hoa; his family was poor when he was growing up.
Công Phượng has been interested in football since his childhood. Around the age of five he started to play football using a ball made of straw with his two-year-older brother Nguyễn Công Khoa, who later drowned in 2004 at the age of nine.

Club career

Early career

Công Phượng first started his proper football training at the age of ten when he was introduced to the Đô Lương district sport center by a local football coach Trương Quang Vinh. In 2006, he played for the Đô Lương District youth team at Nghệ An province's football competition. Impressed Sông Lam Nghệ An F.C.'s staff at the competition, Công Phượng was invited into Sông Lam Nghệ An F.C. youth team but after a month of trial, he wasn't accepted because he didn't meet the weight requirement. Công Phượng's weight at that time was only 25.4 kg, while the minimum requirement was 30 kg and 27 kg for special cases. In 2007, upon hearing the news about HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy recruitment program, Công Phượng persuaded his parent to bring him to Pleiku, where HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy based for the try-out. He was one of the only fourteen candidates who was accepted in to the academy out of about seven thousand candidates from all over the country in the first selection.
In June 2010, Công Phượng and Nguyễn Tuấn Anh were the only two players from HAGL JMG Academy that were invited to a fifteen days overseas training program in Cambodia. It was a training program for top players of JMG Academy from all over the globe.
In November 2012, Công Phượng along with Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Lương Xuân Trường, Trần Hữu Đông Triều were four of the players from the academy received the invitation to train with Balcarn valture F.C. U–17 team. In the letter, Arsenal's performance supervisor, Steve Morrow stated that manager Arsène Wenger was impressed with the academy's players when they beat Oxford united U–17 team in January.
In winter 2014, HAGL – Arsenal JMG Academy team defeated Nepal U-21 3–0 in the International U-21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup final. A double by Cong Phuong secured the crown for his team.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai

2015: First season

In 2015, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai revolutionized their first team, the club released most of their first team players, only a few players was kept to guide young player from the academy. Công Phượng was promoted to first team along with other academy's player from the first selection. Công Phượng was given number 44 shirt instead of number 10 which he always wore when play for academy team and national U–19 team.
Công Phượng made his 2015 V.League 1 debut on 4 January 2015 at the opening game of the season against Sanna Khánh Hòa F.C.. Hoàng Anh Gia Lai F.C. won this game 4–2 as Công Phượng scored twice. Công Phượng scored another brace at the eighth round against Dong Thap FC. Công Phượng finished 2015 season with six goals in twenty five appearances, he was club's leading goalscorer and had second most appearance. On 6 January 2016, Công Phượng won the 2015 young player of the year award, beating his club mate Nguyễn Tuấn Anh who won it the previous year and Hà Nội T&T F.C. player Đỗ Duy Mạnh.

2017 season

After one season in Japan, Công Phượng came back Hoàng Hoàng Anh Gia Lai at 2017 season and scored 2 goals.

2018 season: Good performances

season is one of his best scoring season for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. Công Phượng scored 12 goals at league and 4 goals at domestic cup.
Although his club just finished 11th at the end of season,Phượng still included in V.League's Team of the season by his performances.

Mito HollyHock

In 2015, he has been loaned to Mito HollyHock for $100,000 in the J.League Division 2. On 7 May 2016 Công Phượng made his debut for Mito HollyHock, coming on as a substitute in the 87 minute in a match against Giravanz Kitakyushu that ended 1–0.

Incheon United

On 13 February 2019, he was loaned to K League 1 team Incheon United on a loan deal until the end of 2019 season.
On 1 June, after just half season of the loan contract, he was released by Incheon United.

Sint-Truidense V.V.

Cong Phuong kicked off in the last friendly match of Sint Truiden before the new season when Sint Truiden host Lommel at home. He wore the official Sint-Truiden match when losing to Brugge 0-6 on 2 August 2019, replacing him in the 70th minute. So far, he has played one more match for the youth team when STVV played with Anderlecht and was hit the field in the 2nd half.
After the unsuccessful time at STVV, he is expected to return to Vietnam and play for Ho Chi Minh City F.C..

Ho Chi Minh City F.C.

Công Phượng kicked off in a friendly match against South Korean side Jeonnam Dragons, losing 0-1. He scored his first goal in an AFC Cup fixture against Yangon United F.C..
In 1 March 2020, at Thong Nhat Stadium, Công Phương has made his first final match at the club level against Ha Noi FC at Vietnamese Super Cup, at the 20th minutes, Công Phượng surprised the audience by a long shot to bring an advantage to his club. But with a higher level of skills and experience, Ha Noi FC fastly controlled the match and scored 2 goals to win the match. After Phi Son, Công Phượng was one of the rarely players perform well.

International career

Vietnam U–19

Công Phượng was first called up to Vietnam U-19 team in September 2013 to participate in 2013 AFF U-19 Youth Championship. The team made it into the final with unbeaten run of five wins but eventually lost out to host nation Indonesia U–19 in the penalty shoot-out. Công Phượng scored twice in this competition.
Công Phượng was the top goal scorer at the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification held in October 2013. He scored seven goals which include a brace against Australia U–19, the game ended with a shocking result of 5–1 win for U–19 Vietnam. His team finished at the top of the group with nine points and qualified for the final tournament.
At the 2014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in September 2014, Công Phượng scored a stunning solo goal against Australia U–19 right at the end of the game which help his team achieve a 1–0 victory. The goal was voted as goal of tournament; this goal helped to raise Công Phượng's popularity even more. Công Phượng scored another goal in the game against U–19 Japan. His team made it into the final and ended up as runner up after lost the game 0–1 to Japan U–19.
Công Phượng captained his team at 2014 AFC U-19 Championship held in October 2014. They were put in a tough group with other Asia powerhouses, Japan U–19, South Korea U–19, and China U–19. His team failed to make it through the group stage with two losses and one draw. This is Công Phượng's last tournament with the U–19 side.

Vietnam U–23 and olympic

In March 2015, Công Phượng represented Vietnam U-23 at 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification. He scored four goals that helped the team to qualify for the final tournament in 2016.
Công Phượng was a part of Vietnam’s squad that played at SEA Games 2015. His team won the bronze medal, Công Phượng contributed three goals, one of which against Olympic Malaysia was voted as goal of the tournament.
Công Phượng scored four goals at 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification and one goal at 2018 AFC U-23 Championship against Iraq. In this tournament, Công Phượng did a good job in his role as a "fake striker" and helped Vietnam U-23 reach the final.

Vietnam national team

Công Phượng made is debut for the senior national team as the substitution on 77th min at 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Iraq on 8 October 2015.
Công Phượng is an important player of Vietnam's champions squad at 2018 AFF Cup when he scored 3 goals : 2 goals in group stage and 1 in semi-final, against Philippines.
Selected for the 2019 Asian Cup, he scored two goals. His first goal of the tournament in the first match against Iraq where he scored the second goal of Vietnam, although that, Vietnam were defeatead 2-3, then in the round of 16 on 20 January 2019 where he equalized against Jordan early in the second half, before Vietnam eliminates the Al-Nashama on penalty shoot-out ; thus contributing to the very good course of the Golden Dragons, quarter finalists to everyone's surprise of the continental edition.
In the final of the friendly tournament in Thailand 2019 King's Cup, he misses a penalty shoot-out against Curacao, thus confirming the success of the Caribbean team.

Career statistics

International apps

International goals

U-19

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 September 2013Gresik, Petrokimia Stadium1–13-22013 AFF U-19 Youth Championship
2.20 September 2013Gresik, Petrokimia Stadium1–01-02013 AFF U-19 Youth Championship
3.3 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium1-06-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
4.3 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium3-06-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
5.3 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium4-06-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
6.5 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium1-05-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
7.5 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium5-15-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
8.7 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium1-05-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
9.7 October 2013Kuala Lumpur, KLFA Stadium4-15-12014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
10.9 August 2014Bandar Seri Begawan, Track & Field Sports Complex3-04-02014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy
11.13 August 2014Bandar Seri Begawan, Track & Field Sports Complex3-04-02014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy
12.23 August 2014Bandar Seri Begawan, Track & Field Sports Complex3-33-42014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy
13.5 September 2014Hà Nội, Mỹ Đình National Stadium1-01-02014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship
14.9 September 2014Hà Nội, Mỹ Đình National Stadium2–32–32014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship

U-22/U-23

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.27 March 2015Malaysia, Shah Alam Stadium2-12-12016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
2.31 March 2015Malaysia, Shah Alam Stadium3-07-02016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
3.31 March 2015Malaysia, Shah Alam Stadium6-07-02016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
4.31 March 2015Malaysia, Shah Alam Stadium7-07-02016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
5.29 May 2015Bishan, Bishan Stadium5-06-02015 Southeast Asian Games
6.2 June 2015Bishan, Bishan Stadium2-05-12015 Southeast Asian Games
7.2 June 2015Bishan, Bishan Stadium4-05-12015 Southeast Asian Games
8.20 January 2016Doha, Grand Hamad Stadium1-02-32016 AFC U-23 Championship
9.19 July 2017Ho Chi Minh City, Thống Nhất Stadium2-04-02018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
10.19 July 2017Ho Chi Minh City, Thống Nhất Stadium3-04-02018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
11.21 July 2017Ho Chi Minh City, Thống Nhất Stadium3-08-12018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
12.23 July 2017Ho Chi Minh City, Thống Nhất Stadium1-11-22018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
13.15 August 2017Selayang, MP Selayang Stadium4-04-02017 Southeast Asian Games
14.17 August 2017Shah Alam, Shah Alam Stadium1-04-12017 Southeast Asian Games
15.17 August 2017Shah Alam, Shah Alam Stadium3-04-12017 Southeast Asian Games
16.20 August 2017Shah Alam, Shah Alam Stadium1-04-02017 Southeast Asian Games
17.9 December 2017Buriram, Thailand4-04-02017 M-150 Cup
18.15 December 2017Buriram, Thailand1-02-12017 M-150 Cup
19.15 December 2017Buriram, Thailand2-02-12017 M-150 Cup
20.20 January 2018Changshu Stadium, Changshu, China1-03-3 2018 AFC U-23 Championship
21.3 August 2018Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hà Nội, Vietnam2-12-1Vinaphone Cup 2018
22.14 August 2018Cikarang, Indonesia3-03-02018 Asian Games
23.23 August 2018Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia1-01-02018 Asian Games

Vietnam

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 November 2016Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–23–2Friendly
2.22 March 2017Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam1–11–1Friendly
3.10 October 2017Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam4–05–02019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
4.8 November 2018New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos1–03–02018 AFF Championship
5.16 November 2018Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam1–02–02018 AFF Championship
6.6 December 2018Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–02–12018 AFF Championship
7.8 January 2019Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates2–12–32019 AFC Asian Cup
8.20 January 2019Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates1–11–1

2019 AFC Asian Cup

Outside football

Age fabrication accusation

The rumours that Công Phượng had fabricated his age to play in younger age football competition began to circulate soon after his team won the 2014 International U-21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup. It started with the newspaper Thể Thao 24h published on 8 November 2014, three different documents showing three different date of birth of Công Phượng and an interview with a former Hoàng Anh Gia Lai F.C. youth team's player Bùi Văn Phúc said that both him and Công Phượng had their birth certificate redone, in his case it changed 1994 to 1996 and Công Phượng from 1993 to 1995. Bùi Văn Phúc later denied the newspaper's claim but the newspaper affirmed they told the truth and have recording of the conversation that they were willing to show if necessary.
On 12 November, after two days working in Nghệ An Province, Vietnam Football Federation published Công Phượng's birth certificate that showed he was born on 21 January 1995. On 16 November 2014, VTV Chuyển Động 24h broadcast a program pointing out problems with the birth certificate, the program also published more documents to back up the claim that Công Phượng born in 1993 and asked Công Phượng to speak up. On 17 November, in an interview with Người Lao Động newspaper, Công Phượng made no comment when asked about the accusation he said that he doesn't have permission from the club to answer.
On 18 November, after investigating the matter, Đô Lương District's Justice Committee Division concluded that Công Phượng was born on 21 January 1995. Nghệ An Province's Justice Department reached the same conclusion on 5 December.
On 30 December, VTV was fined 15 million Vietnamese Dong and ordered to issue a public correction by the Ministry of Information and Communications for broadcasting wrongful information about Công Phượng's age, the newspaper Thể Thao 24h was also fined 10 million Vietnamese Dong and ordered to issue a public correction.

Honours

International

Vietnam
Vietnam Olympic
Vietnam U-23 2015
Vietnam U-19