Công Phượng continues to miss out on the Vietnam national team

Forward Nguyễn Công Phượng is not included in the Vietnam national team roster ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches.

The Vietnam national team has just announced its squad for the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for next October, featuring many young players under the leadership of acting coach Đinh Hồng Vinh. However, once again, forward Nguyễn Công Phượng is missing from this list, disappointing many fans.

This marks the second consecutive time Công Phượng has missed the national team in 2025. During the first call-up in June, the 1995-born striker had to leave early due to injury. For this current gathering, he still is not named in the squad, despite many supporters hoping to see the Nghệ An native make a comeback.

One key reason is that the 2025 National First Division, where Công Phượng and his club Trường Tươi Đồng Nai compete, has yet to start. Therefore, head coach Kim Sang Sik has no basis to assess his current form. Meanwhile, player selection at this stage mainly depends on recent performances in the V-League or other official tournaments, where Công Phượng’s direct competitors are actively showcasing their skills.

Wearing the Trường Tươi Đồng Nai jersey, Công Phượng has not yet demonstrated his best form after recovering from injury, and the striker himself missed a penalty kick that caused the club to miss out on the V-League competition.

Additionally, this call-up prioritizes players currently in good form such as Phạm Gia Hưng (Ninh Bình) and Lý Công Hoàng Anh (Thép Xanh Nam Định). The Korean coach has also continued to trust familiar players like Tiến Linh and Tuấn Hải.

At 30 years old, Công Phượng is no longer considered a central figure in the national team’s long-term plans. However, his experience and ability to make an impact are still highly valued. Being absent from this call-up does not mean the door to the national team is closed, but clearly, the Nghệ An forward needs more time to prove his worth once the National First Division officially begins.

The upcoming two friendly matches of the Vietnam national team against CAHN and Thép Xanh Nam Định will be opportunities for new faces to prove themselves, while reminding everyone that competition for places in the team has never been easy. For Công Phượng, all eyes remain on the day he truly returns to represent the national team.