Cong Phuong was a substitute in the Yokohama match and lost in reverse
J-League Cup is considered as a playground for the reserve players of J-League teams to find opportunities to play. This is evident in the fact that Yokohama coach Shuhei Yomoda only retained five of the 18 names registered in the defeat to Kashima Antlers in the third round of the J-League 1 2023. Thanks to that, Cong Phuong was registered for the first time in a tournament. official match with the new club, although not in the 11 main kickers.
After 90 minutes, Yokohama used all five substitutions but the opportunity did not come to Cong Phuong. The former HAGL striker and his teammates also did not enjoy the joy when Yokohama lost 1-3 backwards against the defending J-League Cup champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
In the first half, Hiroshima had the best chance in the 41st minute, when Kyohei Yoshino fouled Ezequiel from behind in the box leading to the penalty. However, Ezequiel's difficult 11m kick was still saved by goalkeeper Akinori Ichikawa.
In the second half, the game was still controlled by Hiroshima, but Yokohama suddenly opened the scoring in the 59th minute. Keijiro Ogawa dribbled hard on the right and then stretched inward, goalkeeper Goro Kawanami pushed the ball poorly to help Mauricio Caprini cushion. The ball into the empty net opened the score.
Taking the lead, but Yokohama could not preserve the result when the defense kept making mistakes. In the 72nd minute, Takumu Kawamura warned the visitors' defense with a shot that hit the post. Two minutes later, goalkeeper Ichikawa made a mistake in punching the ball, creating conditions for Makoto Mitsuta to decisively equalize.
In the 81st minute, defender Yokohama could not follow Sho Sasaki, allowing the midfielder to head after a corner to make it 2-1. The score was set 3-1 in the 88th minute when Hayato Sugita owns an own goal from Mitsuta's cross on the right.
This result makes Yokohama FC third in Group C J-League Cup 2023 after the first match. The team has not won points like Vissel Kobe but is ranked above due to more goals. The second match will take place on March 26 when Yokohama FC takes on Vissel Kobe at home.
After the first four games of the season, Yokohama still doesn't know how to win, losing three and drawing one. On March 12, the team played against FC Tokyo in the fourth round of J-League 1.
