Vietnam National Team striker Nguyen Cong Phuong is poised for a shock return from the Belgian league in order to join Ho Chi Minh City FC.
Currently on loan at Belgian Pro League side Sint-Truidense from Hoang Anh Gia Lai, he has been the subject of interest form V.League runners up Ho Chi Minh City, who are set to participate in AFC Champions League qualifiers next month.
The Southern Vietnamese side surprised fans across the country by mounting an unexpected title charge against defending champions Hanoi FC. While they were unable to beat their Northern rivals to the title, Hanoi’s failure to meet licensing requirements gave Jung Hae-Song’s side a chance to take their place in the continental competition.
Cong Phuong is one of the most renowned players of the current Vietnamese ‘Golden Generation,’ and made his name with a string of impressive performances for the national team at the 2018 AFC U23 Championships, 2018 Asian Games, 2018 AFF Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
However, the attacker has struggled to earn a place in Sint-Truidense’s first team and has thus far made only one appearance for the side. Regardless, cutting his loan deal short would still come as a surprise, and would represent a huge coup for the V.League runners-up.
Ho Chi Minh City kicks off their continental adventure with a knockout match against Buriram United on the 21st of January. The winner of this match will go on to face Shanghai SIPG in the playoff round.