Cong Phuong played 90 minutes in the practice match of Yokohama FC

Throughout this match, Yokohama used a 4-2-3-1 formation. In the first half, Cong Phuong kicked the attack after striker Kazuma Takai. However, Yokohama only maintained its advantage on the flanks, and the ability to coordinate and defend the middle was not satisfactory. The midfield with Cong Phuong and two defensive midfielders Koshiro Uda and Yuto Shimizu were gradually overwhelmed due to the difference in physicality.

Yokohama mainly rotated the ball to the wings and then crossed into the box but lacked accuracy and the goal Kazuma Takai also lacked the skills of a pure striker. Juntendo University played defensively, but goalkeeper Masami Endo played excellently, saving three shots to help Yokohama draw 0-0 in the first half.

In the second half, Yokohama gradually launched young players into the field. In the 63rd minute, Cong Phuong was asked to step back to the defensive midfielder. Yokohama showed a lack of cohesion and only stood firm until the 75th minute before conceding the first goal. In the 88th minute, the team conceded the second goal and lost the match 0-2.

In this match, head coach Shuhei Yomoda did not lead but assigned the task to assistant Keiji Kuraishi. He said the match is an opportunity to add experience for players who are not allowed to play in official matches. This is also the second practice match in the official season that Cong Phuong plays. Before that, he also spent 90 minutes in the 3-3 draw of third place team Iwate Grulla Morioka on February 25.

The striker born in 1995 could not compete for an official position in the Japanese team. After five rounds of J-League 1, Cong Phuong has not been registered to compete. The only match he was on the reserve list was the first match of the J-League Cup when Yokohama lost to Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-3 on March 8.

Yokohama is at the bottom of the J-League 1 group with just one point after five matches, one of three teams that have yet to win a match with Gamba Osaka and Kashiwa Reysol. At noon on March 26, Yokohama will play the second round of the J-League Cup group stage against Vissel Kobe. It is likely that Cong Phuong will be on the reserve list.