Korean Times likens Cong Phuong (C) to “Lionel Messi of Vietnam”(Source: VNA)Seoul (VNA) - With the title “It's time for another Southeast Asian starin Korea”, the Korean Times of the Republic of Korea praised Vietnamese strikerNguyen Cong Phuong as a new talent in the football in Asia.
Thearticle by John Duerden said Korean fans are going to get a glimpse of moreVietnamese talent this coming season as Incheon has signed an even biggerVietnamese star in the shape of Nguyen Cong Phuong.
The24-year-old striker has played more than 30 matches for the Vietnamese nationalteam, which is led by Park Hang-seo, one of the recognisable figures in Koreansoccer, it said.
“Phuonghas been likened to a certain Lionel Messi due to his liking and talent forrunning at defenders and then dancing past them. He also has an eye for goals,both scoring and creating them”, the article noted.
“Anothergraduate of the soccer academy set up by Vietnamese club Hoang Anh Gia Lai andLondon giant Arsenal, Phuong is fairly small and is going to be targeted bysome of the K-League's rougher defenders. He is good enough to deal with this”,it stressed.
Thearticle said it is hoped thatPhuong will be given the support that heneeds on and off the field to adapt to Korean life and culture, adding thatPhuong would also need some faith from coaches and teammates in Incheon.
“Itis time for another Southeast Asian star in Korea, after the exploits ofThailand's Piyapong Pue-on in the 1980s, and there is no better time and playerthan now and Nguyen Cong Phuong”, it said.-VNA
VNA
